Jimmy Cowan cleared for South African test
Scrum-half Jimmy Cowan has been cleared to play in the New Zealand All Blacks upcoming Tri Nations test against the South African Springboks on 21 August in Johannesburg.
Cowan had been removed from the All Blacks line-up because of a rib cartilage injury he suffered during their last match against the Australian Wallabies on 31 July, which the All Blacks won 49-28. However, team doctor Deb Robison has cleared Cowan to play next weekend.
Cowan’s starting spot was set to be taken over by Piri Weepu, while the bench position was awarded to Wellington’s Alby Mathewson. Cowan’s reinstatement will take Mathewson out of the line-up, and return him to his ITM Cup club Wellington, in time for their next match against Otago this weekend.
Robinson said of Cowan’s recovery, “He basically needed rest and recuperation to get over the injury, which he has had, and is now keen to get back to training.”
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry has yet to make it clear whether or not Cowan will be starting in Johannesburg next week. Cowan has been the starter for the All Blacks in five of seven tests this season. However, Weepu has preformed well in his two starts and the two scrum halves have generally split time throughout the 2010 Tri-Nations tournament.
Weepu and Cowan have been at the centre of the All Blacks offence, and regardless of whether or not he starts it is likely that Cowan will see time in the upcoming engagement. Many have noted that Cowan’s and Weepu’s contribution to the All Blacks this tournament has been one of the major the reason the club is currently undefeated heading into its final two matches.
Cowan has played in 39 tests for the All Blacks, while Weepu has appeared in 42.
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