KEY POINTS:
Former All Blacks first five-eighth Grant Fox is pushing for Jimmy Cowan to be given a shot at halfback for New Zealand.
It follows indifferent performances from incumbent No 9 Andy Ellis in the Tri-Nations tests against South Africa.
Fox says Ellis is not clearing the ball quickly enough from the ground.
He says he does not think it would do any harm to have a change there, and he believes Jimmy Cowan is the man.
Fox says he was surprised Cowan was not brought into the Dunedin game from the bench, which the All Blacks lost 28-30.
Cowan has played 12 tests since making his debut against Italy in 2004.
The Highlanders halfback is lucky to still be in the frame for selection after All Blacks management gave him one final chance after a series of alcohol-related problems.
Cowan was last month charged by police for an incident in Dunedin on April 5, his third recent charge of disorderly behaviour.
A New Zealand Rugby Union hearing found Cowan guilty of serious misconduct, fined him $3000 and asked him to seek alcohol counselling.
Cowan has also been placed on a strict alcohol ban, which if he breaks will see his NZRU contract terminated.
- NEWSTALK ZB, NZ HERALD STAFF
