Rugby: Big occasion for Cowan- just the wrong result

Highlanders first five Chris Noakes (left) and flanker Adam Thomson react after the 21-6 loss to...
Highlanders first five Chris Noakes (left) and flanker Adam Thomson react after the 21-6 loss to the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. Photos by Craig Baxter.
Stormers captain Jean de Villiers makes a presentation to Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan. Cowan...
Stormers captain Jean de Villiers makes a presentation to Highlanders halfback Jimmy Cowan. Cowan made his 100th appearance for the Highlanders.

An announcement on the future of Jimmy Cowan is expected within weeks but it was all about the here and now for the halfback on Saturday night.

Cowan played his 100th game for the Highlanders in the 21-6 loss to the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium, and the Southlander was humbled by the reception he received.

"It was special. Even when I ran out there, to get that welcome was great," Cowan said.

"There have been tough times in my eight years, and I have come through some highs and lows.

"But the one thing I do admire from the people of Southland, the people of Dunedin and North Otago is they have always been beside me in the tough times. I have got the odd hater but the majority have been there to support me."

Cowan was congratulated by team-mates when he came off the bench in the 57th minute, and the opposition also got in on the act.

Highlanders first five Chris Noakes (left) and flanker Adam Thomson react after the 21-6 loss to...
Highlanders first five Chris Noakes (left) and flanker Adam Thomson react after the 21-6 loss to the Stormers at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night. Photos by Craig Baxter.
"I was blown away, to be honest. Just to go on there and to be told by guys like Jean [Stormers captain Jean de Villiers], congratulations and that, it was awesome.

"South African people are quality people. They love their rugby, they are passionate people. That is a bit like me, the way I have been brought up. I really appreciated that."

Anton Oliver, the only other player to get to 100 caps for the Highlanders franchise, had contacted Cowan before the match to pass on his congratulations, which Cowan admitted was a thrill.

"It is a privilege to play 100 games and to be in his league is a true honour. It is not an easy feat and he [Oliver] has had 127 games and you have to admire that and his ability. It shows a lot of mental toughness to do that. Who knows, I might get to have a beer with him later in the year."

Cowan, off contract at the end of the season, is expected to head to the United Kingdom after the season.

He joked it was the worst-kept secret in rugby. He wants to play 100 games for Southland - he has 93 caps for the province - but if it did not happen, so be it.

Oliver and Cowan share the unfortunate honour of losing in their 100th game.

Oliver lost to the Blues in 2005 when he brought up the ton, and Cowan did the same on Saturday night, as the Stormers were simply too strong defensively against a Highlanders side which looked flat right from the kick-off.

The Stormers were masters at gang-tackling Highlanders runners, and the home side could not get any continuity into its game.

The Stormers scored the first try, through winger Gio Aplon, after just 12 minutes, chasing a kicked-through ball following a sloppy Highlanders pass.

The Highlanders tried to attack but were outmuscled, and fullback Joe Pietersen scored the second try for the visitors when he started and finished a 70m move just past the half-hour mark.

The home side kept battering away in the second half but came up short, although centre Tamati Ellison was judged to have brushed the sideline in the act of scoring right near the end.

James Haskell tried hard on the flank for the Highlanders and hooker Jason Rutledge was his usual industrious self when he came on in the second half to mark his 50th game.


Super 15
The scores
Stormers ... 21
Gio Aplon, Joe Pietersen tries; Peter Grant con, 2 pen, Pietersen pen
Highlanders ... 6
Chris Noakes 2 pen
Halftime: Stormers 15-6
Crowd: 14,217


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