Cowan (32), who skippered the Highlanders in 2009 and 2010, and is one of only three players to have played more than 100 games for the side, was back at Forsyth Barr Stadium over the weekend, playing with his new team, Tasman, in its 31-25 win over Otago.
The Southlander played the second half of the match and was as busy as ever, getting round the field, and helping himself to a try.
Cowan has just returned to New Zealand after a two-year deal with English club Gloucester.
''That was my first game for eight to nine weeks. I was very rusty.
"I blew a bit of cobwebs out ... But it was good to get 40 minutes under my belt, especially at the intensity,'' Cowan said.
''I arrived back about 3 weeks ago now. The point arriving back short-term was the ITM Cup.
"I have got a few things in the pipeline. It would be fair to say I will play in the ITM Cup and then re-assess things.
''I'm not going to go back overseas. Hopefully, something will pop up around here, in New Zealand.
"It is hard for me to comment as nothing is signed. I just want to get back in the groove and play some ITM Cup and see if I can just adjust back to New Zealand rugby.
''I'm 32 years of age. I have probably got two to three years left in me so why not play Super rugby. I just want to be reacquainted with New Zealand rugby again.
"I need to get the feel of this game again ... I want to know if I'm still capable at this level. If not I will go my separate ways and carry on.
"If I think I'm up to it then you'll see me back in Super rugby.''
Cowan's experience would be greatly valued by any franchise.
Many of them have young promising No 9s but there is a real lack of older, wiser halfbacks with the likes of Piri Weepu and Alby Mathewson now plying their trade overseas.
Cowan liked his time in England but on the paddock the results were not what he or the club expected. His two years were also affected by a serious knee injury which had him off the field for months.
''I really enjoyed it, a great club, with great culture and a good bunch of guys.
"But the club is based on results and we did not get the results.
"We finished ninth and that was unacceptable really with the team roster we had. So it was disappointing.''
Gloucester has signed the likes of Welsh back James Hook and former All Black prop John Afoa in a clean-out and Cowan saw no future there for him.
He decided to head home but with Southland having two young halfbacks on its books, he linked with former Highlanders assistant coach and Tasman coach Kieran Keane.
He drove up from Invercargill on Saturday to meet his new team-mates and will be in Nelson for the next three months.
Tagging along will be his daughter, Lottie May.
''She is 5-months-old now. It is going really well. It certainly puts a real perspective on life.
"I'm really enjoying it so far. I just enjoy every bit of time I get with her.''
Cowan watched the Highlanders over the past two seasons and remains a staunch supporter.
''I'm still a big fan of the Highlanders. It was outstanding they made the playoffs.
"They look as though they have got something really cool going.
"A good bunch of guys and to introduce Browny [assistant coach Tony Brown] into the coaching set-up really paid dividends.
''I have a lot of respect for Browny in what he has done in the past. It is cool to see what they are doing and best of luck for them going forward.''
