Bowden (24) played for Otago last year and turned out for the Highlanders in the past two years, but has returned home to play for Auckland in this year's Air New Zealand Cup.
His first couple of games for Auckland in the competition might have made him have second thoughts about joining the blue and whites.
In its first game against Hawkes Bay, Auckland was on the end of a 47-13 mauling while the next week it lost 22-16 to Canterbury with Bowden being knocked out and leaving the field on a stretcher.
"I think in that first game against Hawkes Bay we had a really young team out there and they were just not used to the pace of the game.
Everyone says that these days, about teams being young, but we had guys in our team who hadn't even played premier club rugby," he said.
"Guys really got found out then but we've slowly been getting it together. I think players are starting to realise what you have to do to play at this level."
Bowden said his concussion against Canterbury was caused by a poor attempted tackle on Canterbury centre Adam Whitelock.
He had a couple of tests to check his head was all right and returned to the Auckland team via the bench in a couple of games before starting for the side in its convincing 29-14 win over previously unbeaten Bay of Plenty last Sunday at a sodden Eden Park.
"For me, it is about getting a series of back-to-back performances on the field. The guys played well last week and we're starting to get a bit of consistency into our game."
Bowden, who played three club games for Ponsonby when he returned to Auckland after finishing with the Highlanders, said he wanted to make his mark in the No 10 jersey, although he also still enjoyed playing one place further out.
"I get asked that a lot. I want to concentrate on 10 but I enjoy the space and the more time you get at second five-eighth."
Bowden was not a fan of the way the game was heading, with more kicking and having to concentrate on the aerial game.
"I prefer to keep the ball in hand but now the game is more about territory and getting good field position."
He wanted to play for the Blues next season but still kept an eye on the Highlanders and had a plenty of respect for Highlanders coach Glenn Moore who gave him his first break into Super 14 last year.
Bowden was looking forward to catching up with his old Highlanders and Otago team-mates over the weekend, but said they mighty not be too friendly on the field.
"I'm bound to get a few chips and a mouthful from them. I hope I don't get caught down the bottom of a ruck."
Bowden was born and bred in Auckland, attending Auckland Grammar, and was glad to be home in familiar surroundings.
Auckland was gaining in confidence as combinations got better.
"I think the guys are finally realising that we can compete at this level, and any Auckland side which backs itself and has a bit of confidence is dangerous."
