29 Facts About Jimmy Cowan

1.

Quinton James Cowan was born on 6 March 1982 and is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.

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2.

Jimmy Cowan first played for the All Blacks – New Zealand's national team – during the 2004 tour to the United Kingdom and France, and played his last Test match for the side during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

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3.

Jimmy Cowan was born in Gore and attended Gore High School.

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4.

Jimmy Cowan was selected for the Highlanders in the 2003 Super 12 season, and continued to play for both the Highlanders and Southland until signing for Gloucester in 2012.

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5.

Jimmy Cowan was identified as a promising halfback, and is a product of New Zealand's rugby development program.

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6.

Jimmy Cowan was quickly recognised as a standout in a weak Stags side and after a good season in 2002, he received a call-up to the Highlanders super rugby franchise.

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7.

In 2004, after a great National Provincial Championship competition, Jimmy Cowan received an All Black call-up for the 2004 end of year tour after becoming the youngest Southlander to bring up 50 games for the province at the age of 22.

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8.

Jimmy Cowan missed much of the 2006 Air New Zealand Cup with All Blacks Tri Nations campaign before being dropped by the end of 2006.

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9.

In 2007 after missing out on the All Blacks Jimmy Cowan made a strong impression for the Stags helping them to reach the quarter final stages.

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10.

Since 2008, Jimmy Cowan has played very few games due to being the All Blacks starting No 9.

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11.

Jimmy Cowan missed out on the Stags first successful Ranfurly Shield challenge in 51 years against Canterbury where his brother Scott took his place as halfback.

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12.

Jimmy Cowan is one of only two New Zealanders to have ever registered a century for both his province and a Super Rugby franchise.

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13.

Jimmy Cowan was mentored by All Blacks Halfbacks Danny Lee and Byron Kelleher, who at the end of the season departed Otago and the Highlanders to play for Waikato and the Chiefs, leaving Cowan and Ben Hurst to battle for the starting role.

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14.

Jimmy Cowan started a majority of the 2004 Super 12 season and at the end of the season became an All Black.

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15.

When Tony Brown left the Highlanders in 2005, Jimmy Cowan became a senior figure in an inexperienced backline and was recognised for his influence in the Highlanders side and good form with the New Zealand Super 14 Player of the Year Award.

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16.

Jimmy Cowan made his All Black debut age 22, versus Italy, coming on as a substitute.

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17.

Jimmy Cowan was next selected for the All Blacks during their successful 2005 Grand Slam Tour.

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18.

Jimmy Cowan was instead named in the Junior All Blacks for their victory in the Pacific Nations Cup.

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19.

Coincidentally, it is during this year that Jimmy Cowan faced charges related to several incidents of drink-related disorderly behaviour.

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20.

In 2010, Jimmy Cowan spearheaded the All Black recovery from a poor 2009 Tri Nations.

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21.

Jimmy Cowan played in the 2010 Hong Kong Bledisloe Cup Test game in Hong Kong, scoring a try for the All Blacks.

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22.

Later that year Jimmy Cowan played a key role in the All Blacks third successful Grand Slam in five years.

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23.

Jimmy Cowan started the 2011 season as the incumbent All Black halfback; however, injuries and indifferent Super and International form resulted in his demotion to the third choice halfback behind Piri Weepu and Andy Ellis.

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24.

In total Jimmy Cowan played 53 games for the All Blacks with 51 test matches.

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25.

Jimmy Cowan delayed his arrival at Gloucester so that he could play in the ITM Cup and reach the milestone of 100 appearances for Southland.

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26.

On 14 July 2014, Jimmy Cowan returned home to New Zealand as he joins Tasman Makos on a one-year contract in their next ITM Cup campaign.

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27.

On 17 September 2014, Jimmy Cowan signed for the Blues for the upcoming 2015 Super Rugby season.

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28.

At the beginning of his career, Jimmy Cowan received several enticing offers from Super Rugby host provinces, but knocked them back to remain with the Stags and Highlanders.

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29.

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry said Jimmy Cowan was one of the most well-respected players in the national squad and that he had the rare ability to relate with everyone in the team.

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