Blues top 10 showdown

FOR MANY, Northland's Ranfurly Shield match versus Hawke's Bay will provide a glimmer of hope.

But for Dan Bowden, who is returning to the Taniwha after nearly a decade away from the team which sparked his provincial debut, it will offer a chance to face off against his Blues counterpart, and fellow first-five, Ihaia West.

"I haven't seen it [the ITM Cup draw] yet but I got told from 'little kumara', which is Ihaia West, that we're playing them in the Shield game," Bowden says.

"I'll be looking forward to that.

"It's just good, even for that banter and stuff. We just get stuck into each other. He's a good kid."

Bowden, 29, will return to Northland for two seasons after playing for London Irish and Leicester in the UK, plus a short stint with Yamaha Jubilo in Japan.

Bowden was recently thrust into the Blues' starting No10 role by coach Sir John Kirwan in a bid to turn their dismal Super Rugby season around.

Unfortunately, Bowden's initial return to Whangarei for the pre-season match against the Chiefs in January was not quite the return he desired. A foot injury sidelined him for months.

Despite this, a return to form in recent weeks has seen him back in the mix.

"I had a frustrating start to the season obviously. I missed about two-and-a-half months with my foot injury.

"It was a ligament between my bones and forefront but that's healed up okay and now I just manage my workloads. We're trying to tick the boxes each week so it doesn't return."

All going to plan, Bowden will be fit to play for the Taniwha in the first-round ITM Cup match against Ranfurly Shield holders Hawke's Bay.

"It's a good first game, you know. It will be better I think [because] it gives [us] a real focus through the pre-season knowing the first game is a shield challenge.

"That's going to be good for Northland [and] for everyone to get in behind the challenge."

Northland's new ITM Cup head coach, Richie Harris, is looking forward to seeing the two Blues first-fives going head-to-head.

"He [Bowden] brings Super Rugby and overseas experience to the team," Harris says.

"His ability to play 10-12 is good, plus he also adds another goal-kicking option."

Harris is aware of the threat Magpies' rising star West can bring, but says his form in Super Rugby has varied.

"I think, straight up, Hawke's Bay have run a lot off how he plays.

"It's a long way out but you have to pay attention to players like that. His experience in Super Rugby will see him get better."

Bowden's thoughts are similar.

"He's young [West] and you gotta remember he's played a lot of ITM Cup but he hasn't played a lot of rugby at this [Super Rugby] level.

"I think each game he's learning and finding out something new. He certainly is going to be a talent for the future."

With Bowden and West set to face-off in round one of the ITM Cup, Bowden assures there's no niggle between them.

"Nah, other than the fact he's got a horrible little haircut. He's a good kid, we get on really well."