Excellent article by Nathan Charles re Pek's 100th:

"As the Super Rugby competition rolls on, we have now headed 'across the ditch' to take on the Waikato Chiefs in Hamilton this Friday night.

The match will hold extra significance for us, with team stalwart and evergreen prop, Pek Cowan, set to play his 100th Super Rugby match for the Western Force.

In the 10-year history of the club just one player – Matt Hodgson – has reached the milestone to date.

However, at just 28, 'Pekka' will continue to push Hodgo (113 matches) as the most-capped Force player.
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You can't help but feel admiration for someone that you've spent the past six years standing armpit-to-armpit to and packing down in literally thousands of scrums in matches and on the training park.

While milestones like this are an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge players for their long service, they also provide the This Is Your Life opportunities to dust off the photo album and reflect on the embarrassing snaps and stories that have helped them reach this point in their careers.

The Force recruited Pek in its inaugural team as a long-haired, fresh-faced boy from Sydney's northern beaches. He was a promising front-row prospect who'd recently represented Australia at under-21 level.

While the past decade has seen his back and sides become increasingly neatly groomed, the schoolboy face is now adorned by a beard or manicured stubble, and any adolescent puppy fat is now well toned by season upon season of training and matches, his competitive nature and will to win have been unrelenting.

I joined the Force on an injury cover contract in 2010 after a string of injuries to the club's hookers. At the time, Pek had put up his hand to shift from his more familiar position at loosehead prop to cover the shortage in the middle of the scrum.

While there were one or two very dubious lineout throws – which he himself reflects back on with good humour – he was soon able to return to his preferred propping position.

One moment I'll always remember about Pek was in our win over the Crusaders in 2010. From a quick turnover, we'd just gone length-of-the-field against the highly-fancied Canterbury side with Matt Hodgson scoring in the corner.

The following week during our team video review of the match, the coaching staff showed the try on a wider angle view. There was Pek still at our end of the ground, watching the try from afar, giving a brief clap and cheer, and then moving back into position for the kick-off. I guess you do learn some tricks of the trade in your way to the top!

Pek and his wife Megan have made themselves a home here in Perth over the past 10 years, as well as being joined by young sons Jaxon and Harper – two of the most entertaining kids you'll ever meet.

And having done it together for a while, there aren't too many guys you'd prefer to pack down alongside.

Despite playing at the top provincial (and international) level, he hasn't changed and has remained humble and down-to-earth throughout.

He has immense respect for his teammates and his supporters – which is certainly reciprocated, and is someone that you know when it's time to switch on, he'll do exactly that.

Congratulations Pekka on 100 games mate, we'll all be doing what we can to make it a memorable one for you."

http://www.watoday.com.au/rugby-unio...23-1mrdvu.html