There's clearly something in the water of Mataura.
As the international career of combative No 9 Justin Marshall wound down, the international career of combative No 9 Jimmy Cowan gathered momentum.
Cowan slipped under the radar of age-group selection and played his way into the spotlight through club and provincial duties.
In 2004, aged just 22, he recorded his 50th match for Southland. Later that year, he debuted for the All Blacks. But the best part of a decade later, and with 47 tests to his name, he has never really confirmed the No 9 jersey as his own.
The halfback slot has been the subject of much rotation under Graham Henry. During his time in the squad, Cowan has competed for game time against the likes of Marshall, Byron Kelleher, Piri Weepu and Brendon Leonard. Today, the Southlander has the inside track for the starting position, with Weepu the likely preferred choice off the bench.
