Wallaby Pek Cowan 15,000km try for birth
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Nick Taylor
November 07, 2009 05:00pm
WALLABIES and Western Force prop Pek Cowan dashed 15,000km to be in Perth for the birth of his second son - but missed it by just five hours.
Cowan, who is in the Australian squad touring the UK, gave up the possibility of a spot in last night's Test against England at Twickenham to make the run.
But it was not enough to get home in time for the arrival of Harper Lee, who was born at 9.02am Thursday.
``I was hoping to get here for the birth. We did our best, but I couldn't quite make it,'' the ecstatic father said yesterday.
``I was just happy there were no major delays and I got here when I did. It's great to see them both.''
But his visit was only a short one.
Cowan flew back to England yesterday afternoon and will not be home again until the tour ends in December.
He said Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had been happy for him to take the short break.
``I didn't say anything until I'd been selected for the squad, but once I was selected I told them straight and made it quite clear what I wanted to do,'' Cowan said.
``They were very understanding and gave me the OK.
``You never expect to make the Wallabies, but I wasn't giving up coming home, no matter what happened.
``I made that choice and I was sticking to it. Some things are more important than sport.''
Cowan, 23, played in the first tour match, a win against Gloucester, on Tuesday night.
Cowan and his partner Megan Hassan, who were high school sweethearts, have a 13-month-old son, Jaxon James.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/stor...9-2761,00.html
