Cowan only makes the bench
Thu, 15 May 2008 09:18
All Black scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan, due in court on Friday on a charge of disorderly conduct, has been included in the Highlanders matchday 22 for their final Super 14 match of the season - against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
However, Cowan only managed to make it onto the bench, with Toby Morland starting in the No.9 jersey.
The 26-year-old Cowan, who has played 10 Tests for New Zealand, is to appear in Dunedin District Court on Friday - following an incident of disorderly behaviour in a Dunedin nightspot in the early hours of last Sunday morning. It followed the Highlanders' loss to the Blues.
Details of the incident remain sketchy, with some New Zealand publications describing it as "a fairly minor incident" - without giving any details.
Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has made it clear the incident will not count against Cowan when he names his team for this week's final league outing, against the Crusaders, but the All Black No.9 still only managed a bench spot.
Moore, with a lengthy injury list to contend with, made numerous changes from the side that started last week in the 15-40 loss to the Blues.
Daniel Bowden comes in at flyhalf for Mike Delany, who moves out to fullback in place of Paul Williams. The latter shifts to the right wing.
Other changes to the backs include Niva Ta'auso replacing Aaron Bancroft at outside centre and Toby Morland at scrumhalf for Cowan.
In the forwards, Tim Boys (No.7), Hayden Triggs (lock) and Chris King (prop) respectively start in places of the injured Alando Soakai, Hoani MacDonald and Jamie Mackintosh.
At hooker, David Hall comes in for Jason MacDonald, who drops down to the replacement bench.
Other players unavailable because of injury are Matt Saunders, James Wilson, Brett Mather and Steven Setephano
Highlanders: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Johnny Leota, 11
Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Craig Newby (captain), 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Keith Cameron, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Naoupu, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Aaron Bancroft, 22 Glen Horton.
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
TMO: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
