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Younger Cowan steps up

Scott Cowan emerged from the shadow of All Black brother Jimmy last year and is set to play a key role in Southland's campaign this season.

Thursday, 22 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Scott Cowan emerged from the shadow of All Black brother Jimmy last year and is set to play a key role in Southland's campaign this season.

Cowan (27) will be at halfback in the Stags' defence of the Ranfurly Shield against Wanganui in Invercargill on Friday night and he will also be an influential as Southland seeks success in the ITM Cup.

He has played 23 games for the province and had a breakout season last year when, with Jimmy away on All Black duty, he played 13 games and became an integral part of the side which lifted the shield from Canterbury and again made the national championship semi-finals.

There might be some sibling rivalry but Scott acknowledges the value of having his elder brother in the All Blacks.

"It's good," he said. "With the new rule interpretations you've got to adapt. The halfback role has changed in the past year. Back then it was more about the box kick but now halfbacks need to run more and weaken the ruck defence.

"I enjoy running. The All Blacks are always the first to recognise the game's changing so, when I talk to Jimmy about it, it's really valuable."

Cowan said his aim this season was to consolidate the improvement he made last year.

"I basically just want to keep that starting spot and try to push on to higher honours," he said. "But I'm really just looking forward to playing for Southland and, if I do that well, the rest will take care of itself.

"We're all good mates down here so it's pretty easy to fit in. The style of rugby that Nibs and Goof [coaches Simon Culhane and David Henderson] want to play suits me as well. It's great rugby and it's fun to play.

"The more you play the more confidence you get and getting so many starts last year was massive for my own confidence."

Cowan is looking no further at present than the shield defence against Wanganui.

"You've really just got to take it a game at a time. We've talked about this year being better than before. We've made the semis in the past two years and our big goal now is to make a final.

"Obviously there is the shield as well so the home games are extremely important. If you wan t to make the play-offs, you've got to win your home games and also do well on the road."

Cowan said the challenge from Heartland champion Wanganui would be another step up from the 48-3 defence over North Otago.

"Wanganui's going to be hungry to do well. They don't get a lot of chances at the shield.

"There's an awesome buzz around town [Invercargill]. I think everyone was itching to get out and watch the Stags play again [against North Otago] even though it was a miserable night."

Cowan is certainly not resting on his laurels.

"I'm going to try to be sharper around the ruck this season. You've got to test the ruck defence out. If there's a gap there, you've got to really take it. I want to become a bit more explosive in my running and also work on my option-taking."

Parents Bronwyn and Paddy, Jimmy and younger sister Hayley (23) will be in the stand on Friday night.

"If we can beat these boys [Wanganui], the Otago challenge (on August 7) is going to be absolutely massive. I spent six years in Dunedin and my old workmates up there are pretty excited about it.

"It's always a grudge match against Otago and, with the shield on top of that…but first of all we have to do the business against Wanganui."

Wanganui challenged Wellington for the shield last year, losing 6-61.

Coach Guy Lennox has named the following team to play Southland: Asalemo Malo, Jonny Mow, Lasa Ulukuta, Pehira Huwler, Cameron Crowley, Mark Davis, Mat Koubaridis, Darren Munro, Peter Rowe, Adam Roe, Nic Cranston, Jon Smyth, Shaun McDonough, Cole Baldwin, Matt Gilbert. Reserves: Shane Ratima, Sheldon O'Hagan, Sam Madams, David Gower, Ricky Alabaster, Areta Lama, Sam Scown.

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