Rugby: Wandering hero heads home

Northland's Daniel Bowden in action at the Super 15 Rugby pre-season Blues v Chiefs game at Toll Stadium in Whangarei. Photo / File

Daniel Bowden is looking forward to rolling back the years when he re-joins the Taniwha later in the year for their ITM Cup campaign.

The 28-year-old has returned from almost five years playing overseas to play for the Blues in the Investec Super 15 competition and he surprised many with his return to play in Whangarei. But his renewed allegiance to Northland did not surprise insiders who knew of his gratitude to the union and his friendship with Northland coach and former teammate Derren Whitcombe.

"I owe a lot to the union," he said. "They gave me my start and I really enjoyed my footy up here - while the results weren't always the greatest in my three years up here, I definitely had the greatest time both on and off the field and I really found my feet up here playing professional rugby."

It was 10 years ago that 18-year-old Bowden came north from his native Auckland to make his mark on the Air New Zealand Cup, playing 27 matches for the Taniwha over three seasons before securing a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders and transferring to Otago.

He played two seasons for the Highlanders, switching between first and second-five-eighths but was not offered a contract in 2010. Instead, he was picked up in the draft by the Crusaders and spent a successful season playing outside Dan Carter at second five-eighths. His prominence for the Crusaders earned interest from England and he signed a two-year deal for London Irish, before moving to Leicester Tigers for another two-year deal.

He was one of the key figures in the side's victory in the Aviva Premiership, which he cites as the highlight of his OE, and might have been in contention for England but for a bad stretch of injuries. He cashed in with a short term contract on his way home playing for Yamaha Jubilo late last year.

Bowden said his time overseas had added another level to his game. "In that time I think I grew more as a player - I became more rounded and I got to travel and see the world as well," he said.

There is little doubt he was contracted by Blues coach John Kirwan for his experience to back up two fresh faced first five-eighths.

"We've got some good youngsters in the team, Simon Hickey and Ihaia West, and since I got back I've been aligning myself with them - and while I suppose technically we're in competition to get a spot, I think I'm really there to add experience into the mix," Bowden said. He is listed by the Blues website as a first-five eighth and fullback but Bowden believes he may get most of his appearances at inside centre.

"I'd like to think I'll get a run at 12 at some stage - I think that's where their thoughts are - I can play both there and at 10 so we'll see how we go in terms of where and when I'm required," he said.

Unfortunately for Bowden, his return to Whangarei for the recent Blues-Chiefs pre-season match was not quite the return he was hoping for. Playing at second five-eighths, he picked up a tendon injury in his foot and is likely to miss the season opener against the Chiefs next week at Albany. But the injury is not considered serious and he is hopeful of making the second round African trip.

Bowden was in the stands as the Blues enjoyed a morale-boosting 32-29 win over the Hurricanes at QBE Stadium at North Harbour on Friday night.

It was a more polished performance than they showed in Whangarei with a big improvement in ball security particularly in the second spell.

George Moala opened the scoring for the Blues before the Hurricanes punished poor defence to open up a lead with three tries. Ihaia West was on target with the boot to close the gap before Ben Lam scored a runaway try from an Akira Ioane break to level the score at half-time at 19-apiece.

The Blues, with a number of changes, shored up the defence and pressured the Hurricanes in the second half and were rewarded with a Blake Gibson try - with another by Tevita Li disallowed. The home team moved out to a 32-24 lead before giving up a final try on fulltime.