Cowan in new role with Force

Cowan in new role with Force

NICK TAYLOR, The West Australian February 5, 2010, 6:53 am

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Getty Images / Cameron Spencer © Enlarge photo



Pek Cowan will be the shock first-choice hooker for the Western Force in tonight's final trial against the Queensland Reds


Cowan, a specialist loosehead prop, has had only 43 minutes in the No. 2 jumper in professional rugby. He came off the bench in the Wallabies' midweek match against Gloucester on last year's northern hemisphere tour, replacing Tatafu Polota-Nau.
His move to the all important hooking role highlights an area of concern in the Force squad.


The Force's only two recognised hookers, Rockingham product Ryan Tyrrell, 26, and 20-year-old Australia A schoolboys representative Ben Whittaker, have little experience of top-level rugby.


Tyrrell, who impressed with his first-up Force performance on the pre-season tour of South Africa, has a shoulder problem and has been rested for the game at ME Bank Stadium.


Whittaker, who only played 56 minutes of Super rugby in three games last season, also has shoulder soreness but is expected to play.


Cowan, 23, spent long periods of yesterday's captain's run training session practising his line-out throws with coaches before taking the lead hooker's role in the squad session.


Wallabies coach Robbie Deans handed Cowan, who has three Test caps, Australia's third hooking spot on the northern hemisphere tour behind Stephen Moore and Polota-Nau.


He suggested the move after assistant coach Jim Williams watched him throwing balls with Polota-Nau during the Wallabies training camp last May.


Wallabies scrum coach Patricio Noriega then spent time with Cowan at every training session both in Australia and while on tour to improve his throwing.


His first scrummaging at hooker was in a Wallabies' inter-squad trial.


Cowan, who admitted it had been a steep learning process, said Deans had asked him to consider covering all options in the front row.


The Queensland scrum will be no pushover tonight, having been dominant at times in their trial against the Canterbury Crusaders last Friday.


http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...le-with-force/

I guess it's best to get some time in the position to rest the other two, no point burning them out this week and have only Cowan for R1.
I imagine they are on the phone daily scouring the Rugby World phone book.
You would have thought there would be an Argentine/Romanian/Georgian/Tongan who would be worthy of S14 bench status who hasn't got a contract?

Mitch doesnt have much choice with Tyrell injured and Whittaker sore, I say BRING BACK TAI....best of luck to Cowan although it will take a little time to adjust to the hooking role, its not as easy as going from wing to fullback.

But what a player he could be for us and the Wallabies if he can master both position. That kind of versatility would allow for more and more Wallabies selections, especially considering his age.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sandgroperrugby

But what a player he could be for us and the Wallabies if he can master both position. That kind of versatility would allow for more and more Wallabies selections, especially considering his age.

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Exactly my thinking. It's only this time last season that some didn't think he had measured up to S14 standard at LH. Someone with the coordination necessary to play off his golf handicap (what is it 1 or 2?) is likely to be able to throw pretty accurately. I'm betting Robbie Deans and John Mitchell have seen enough to encourage him to continue.

But at what cost?

why don't you step in AH? ?

My lats are to BIG mate. I'd have a decent crack, maybe, actually played state juniors in the front row with keiran...

i think i remeMber posting something a few weeks ago about this......... really Cowan's only option if he wants game time with the Wallabies and EWF