Cowan starts in crunch game
5 Jul 2012
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph has opted for the experience of Jimmy Cowan ahead of Aaron Smith for their showdown with the Reds in Brisbane.
Smith has been one of the form scrumhalves of the tournament and established himself as the starting No 9 for the All Blacks. Cowan is one of four changes to the run-on team that played and lost against the Chiefs last Friday. In the pack, Andrew Hore and James Haskell come into the side. In the backs, Mike Delany starts at flyhalf with Siale Piutau in midfield in place of the injured Tamati Ellison.
Both sides are outside of the play-off places and have to win to stay in contention.
Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Subs: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Chris King, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn.

9 Comments
5 Jul 2012, 09:37 am
Arrogant Dragon
5 Jul 2012, 09:45 am
I love the advert, “Are you the next Keo?” My shortish height at 5’75″ rules me out immediately as too tall
5 Jul 2012, 11:19 am
@Michael(mikeybrass)-2:
“Are you the next Keo”!
S e x, coke and booze.
………………………………………..And you own rugby blogg.
What Schoolboy wouldn’t want to be.
5 Jul 2012, 11:28 am
Ryan,
The Team above shows Jimmy on the bench!!!!
?????
5 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm
@cane(cane)-4: Amateur hour once again!
Is Tim Boys the one SBW used as a punching bag?
5 Jul 2012, 14:20 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-5:
I thought it was Jarrad Hoeata.
5 Jul 2012, 14:27 pm
@cane(cane)-6: Was it Hoeata? The guy had long hair and looked like Tim Boys but he was wearing the 5 jersey i think.
Hoeata wont allow SBW to smack him around like that.
SBW to the ref after the fight…..”I didnt throw a punch.
5 Jul 2012, 14:36 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-7:
I am probably wrong Sasuke. BUT.
I think both Teams were worried about a “Red”,
so if my memory serves me correctly,
both Teams pointed out it was nothing more than pushing and shoving.
Sonny Bill can’t quite rid himself of his “Rugby League” roots.
7 Jul 2012, 09:13 am
When will the IRB or NZRU get rid of Bryce Lawrence. He is incompetent. Saders got a try that wasn’t. No good as a ref. No good as a TMO decision maker. Like father like son?
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