Rugby: Cowan cleared for Springboks test

Jimmy Cowan. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Abrasive All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan has passed a medical test today and will travel with the All Blacks squad to South Africa for the Tri-Nations rugby test against the Springboks on August 21.

Cowan has been sidelined since suffering a painful rib cartilage injury in New Zealand's 49-28 defeat of Australia in Melbourne on July 31.

His starting spot was inherited by Piri Weepu, with Alby Mathewson promoted to the reserve bench and making his first test appearance in the 20-10 defeat of the Wallabies at Christchurch on Saturday.

Cowan's return to the 26-man tour squad forced out Mathewson, who has been named to start in Wellington's national provincial championship match against Otago on Saturday.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said Cowan was ready to return to the training field ahead of the test in Johannesburg.

"He basically needed rest and recuperation to get over the injury, which he has had, and is now keen to get back to training," Robinson said in a statement.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry must now decided whether to reinstate Cowan as the starting No 9, as he has been in five of the seven tests this year.

Henry may persist with starting Weepu, who has impressed with his two run-on efforts in the Tri-Nations.

Weepu has played 42 tests and Cowan 39.

- NZPA