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Emirates Western Force and Australia A prop Pek Cowan has signed a two year deal with RugbyWA.
To hear Pek Cowan's thoughts on his new Emirates Western Force contract, click here
Cowan, 22, has amassed 10 Super 14 caps for the WA side after being a member of the inaugural squad in 2006.
He made his debut against the Waratahs at Subiaco Oval in 2006 before adding nine more caps during his watershed 2008 campaign.
The new deal consists of a one year contract with an option for the 2010 season.
After representing Australia at junior levels, including Schoolboys, Under 19s, and Under U21, Cowan was named in the Australia ‘A’ side for the 2008 Pacific Nations Cup, where he has performed admirably against Japan and Samoa thus far.
Despite suffering a broken leg during the 2007 Australian Rugby Championship, The 22- year-old bounced back to be an important member of a young front row during the 2008 season, starting eight times at loosehead prop after cementing his position in the side on the NZ tour.
Cowan said he was excited to be staying in Perth, where he owns property with his fiancée Megan.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first three years in Perth, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the team for what I think will be a special few years,” Cowan said.
“We’ve shown in the last two seasons that we can play some really quality rugby and I think we can continue to aim for finals over the coming seasons.”
“This season I feel that I improved my own game a lot as well and have become a lot more confident at Super 14 level.”
Cowan said his representative call up had come as a surprise on the back of his first full season of Super 14 rugby.
“Playing with Australia A at this stage of my career is probably ahead of where I thought I would be, but I’ve benefited greatly from the experience and I’ll be pushing for higher honours in the near future,” Cowan added.
RugbyWA General Manager Community Rugby and Junior Development, Mitch Hardy, said Cowan was maturing as a prop forward.
“Pek has worked very hard on his game, and has shown a mature approach to the professional rugby process that belies his age,” Hardy said.
“With Pek, Kieran Longbottom, AJ Whalley, Troy Takiari and Luke Holmes on deck we believe we have the nucleus of a strong front row for years to come.”
FACT FILE
Pekahou (Pek) Cowan
Position:Prop
Physical: 1.84m, 114kg
Age: 22 (Born 2/6/1986 in Wellington, NZ)
Super 14 Caps: 10
Super 14 Points: 0
Super 14 Debut: 2006 v Waratahs, Perth
Representative Honours: Australia A (2008), Australian Under 21s (2005), Australian Under 19s (2003-2004), Australian Schools (2003)
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