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Ten years ago Pekahou Cowan was striding the fairways at Wellington's Shandon club, hitting at driving ranges alongside Michael Campbell and eyeing a career as a golf pro.
But it was another Kiwi sporting icon who gave Cowan his biggest break this week, when Robbie Deans called to offer the 116kg prop a spot in his Wallabies squad.
Cowan, Pek to his mates, today joined his Western Force teammate Matt Hodgson as the two newest Wallabies when Deans unveiled his first 30-man squad of 2009.
Born and raised in the Hutt Valley, Cowan recalls being a year behind Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush at school, but rated golf as his first sporting love.
He first picked up a club at age seven, followed the spike marks of top professional Mark Brown at Shandon and was down to a four handicap by his 15th birthday.
"I was lucky enough to see (Campbell) play a few times and he was down at the driving range I used to go to. He was one of the guys I looked up to," Cowan said.
"It's a really hard sport to crack into, and I did enjoy playing rugby and league a bit more. That was where my heart was.
"As a kid in New Zealand you can do everything, and golf was a little bit left field. I just found I was naturally good at it."
Cowan, now 22, moved to Sydney at 13 when his father changed jobs, and after taking a golf scholarship at Long Reef on the northern beaches, the oval ball beckoned.
He was a natural, making the Australian schoolboys team in 2003, the under-19s in 2004 and the under-21s in 2005. Making the Wallabies was his dream ever since.
But it still didn't ease the shock when Deans called last Monday and summoned Cowan from Perth to Sydney, having played all but one of the Force's Super 14 matches in 2009.
Cowan missed the initial call because he was driving, and didn't recognise Deans' number when he checked.
"The music was on really loud. I just put a new system into my car so I was trying it out.
"I think the song was Jason Mraz, I'm Yours. It will definitely go down as one of my favourites, my good luck song.
"I couldn't believe it. I was kind of shocked. I didn't check the message until I got inside and my partner
Megan was looking at me with this weird look. She said I looked white."
After three attempts, Deans finally answered.
"The first thing I said was sorry. I won't miss another call," Cowan said.
Cowan shifted to the Western Force in their inaugural year in 2006 but it was a big struggle.
He suffered a broken leg and went back to club rugby with Nedlands which he rated "about a Sydney third grade level".
"There were some trying times once I got injured and I was stuck there with my partner at the time, with no family.
"It was a little bit disheartening but I stuck to it, and got lucky with Gareth (Hardy) getting injured."
Hardy's misfortune gave Cowan his big chance at loosehead, and he snatched it.
The Force scrum was solid in 2009 and Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach, brought out the best in his compatriot.
"He's been massive, a fantastic coach. He's not a coach who will just pick who everyone expects him to pick. He's happy to give young guys a go," Cowan said.
"He's a bit like Robbie Deans in a way, he'll go on form as opposed to who you are. That's given me the opportunity and brought me here today."
Cowan felt he always had the ability but Mitchell gave him the confidence. Now Deans has given Cowan a big chance to show his wares against the Barbarians, Italy and France in the absence of injured props
Sekope Kepu and Matt Dunning.
Deans said Cowan was chosen with an eye for the future, but was more than ready. His general play and breakdown work had impressed.
"He did catch our eyes, particularly as the Super 14 went on and as the ante went up. He's really grown as a player and grown in belief. He's starting to impose himself on the game a lot more," Deans said.
"He has a history in playing both sides which is valuable. He just caught our eye as a bloke who wasn't daunted and was willing."
And the golfers in the Wallabies had better watch out in the coming weeks, Cowan warns, as they assemble in Sydney for the June Tests.
"I love to still play, I play the Force boys for a bit of cash. As soon as cash comes into play I make sure I bring my own clubs and putter, put my golf shoes on.
"The handicap's probably about 40 now. I can still hit a ball, it just doesn't go as straight."
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/kiwi-go...allaby-2751637