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RUGBY UNION
11 JUL 11 @ 03:36PM BY JON GEDDES RUGBY LEAGUE
HE may have missed selection in the Wallabies 40-man training squad but Warringah prop Pek Cowan still has a burning desire to play in the Rugby World Cup.
The Western Force forward sent out a clear message: he is still a contender by leading the Rat pack in their demolition of Gordon at Narrabeen on Saturday.
In his first game, eight weeks after fracturing his cheekbone playing for the Force against the Brumbies, Cowan and fellow frontrowers Salesi Manu and Luke Holmes created the platform for Warringah to record its third win of the season.
Besides his strong scrummaging, Cowan also made his presence felt in the forward exchanges around the ruck.
“We got a few boys back in the forward pack so we had to lead from the front and get quality ball to the back and it paid dividends in the second half,” Cowan said.
“Everyone has told me there were problems down here at Warringah but to be honest I didn’t see anything wrong. I really enjoyed that, it was fantastic.”
While the Force had a tough Super Rugby season, the product of Narrabeen Sports High had been in good form until he was sidelined for an extended period by his untimely injury.
That was a setback in his goal of adding to the four Wallaby Test caps he already has and gave rivals extra games to push their selection claims.
“The good thing is that there is always another game around the corner,” Cowan said.
“I love Warringah. It was burning me a bit hearing the results and not being able to get back here.
“It was great to be able to give a bit to the club and get a win.”
Despite being sidelined for two months Cowan played for 77 minutes before getting a well-deserved break.
“It was tough on the lungs and the legs. I got a bit excited there in the first half so I was a bit tired coming towards the end,” he said.
Cowan is still on the radar of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans after taking part in the scrum sessions involving Australia’s top forward contenders over the past fortnight.
“And that helped me back into the groove of things,” he said.
And he intends to use his upcoming games with the Rats to further push his World Cup credentials.
Warringah coach Sam Harris had a well-deserved smile after the win which got his side off the bottom of the table.
And he recognised the contribution Cowan made in allowing the likes of fullback Hamish Angus (three tries) and centre Dylan Smouha (two tries) to unleash their attacking skills in the backline.
“We’ve always had the weapons to put points on teams but haven’t afforded ourselves the platform to launch off,” Harris said
“We’ve had young guys doing a job in the frontrow but they are learning their trade and it takes time,” he said.
“I knew I wanted Pek back for his scrummaging but after playing with him last year I forgot how many big shots he puts on and how much work he does in defence and how many repeat efforts he does.
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“It’s just infectious and I think it transferred through to the whole team.”