Cowan cleared for Soweto showdown
Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:05
Jimmy Cowan: Are all my ribs still there doc? (c) Gallo
New Zealand received a timely boost ahead of their trip to South Africa, when it was confirmed that scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan passed his medical test on Thursday.
The All Blacks leave for South Africa this weekend and will face the Springboks in the historic first-ever Test in Soweto on August 21.
Cowan had been out of action since suffering a rib cartilage injury in the All Blacks' 49–28 win over Australia in Melbourne on July 31.
However, All Black team doctor Deb Robinson confirmed that the abrasive No.9 would be good to go.
"Jimmy had a medical assessment in Christchurch today [Thursday] and passed that, so he’s fit to travel to South Africa with the team," Robinson said in a statement.
"He basically needed rest and recuperation to get over the injury, which he has had, and is now keen to get back to training."
Cowan's starting spot was taken by Piri Weepu, with Alby Mathewson promoted to the replacements bench - in New Zealand's 20-10 victory in Christchurch last week.
Mathewson earned his first Test cap when he came off the bench against the Wallabies.
However, Cowan's return to the 26-man touring squad has now forced Mathewson out and he will play for Wellington in an NPC match against Otago on Saturday.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry will have to make a call on his starting scrumhalf - a nice headache to have - when he names the team for the Soweto showdown.
The choice, between Cowan's physical edge and Weepu's crisp service, will go a long way towards determining the gameplan the Kiwis will employ against the embattled Boks.
Weepu is certainly more suited to the high-paced expansive approach that was the undoing of the Boks in the two encounters so far this year, while Cowan would enjoy the game if it was turned into an arm-wrestler.
Weepu has played 42 Tests and Cowan 39.
The All Blacks, who have won all four of their Tri-Nations matches so far this season, need just one point in Soweto to officially prise the Tri-Nations trophy from the Springboks' grasp.
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