Former All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan has signed with the Blues for next season, a move coach John Kirwan says will help make up for Piri Weepu's departure.
Bryn Hall will remain the Blues' No 1 halfback after his strong season this year, but the addition of Cowan strengthens the position considerably.
"Jimmy brings competitiveness, plenty of experience and great game awareness, which is something we were really looking for," Kirwan said. "We've got some good young guys coming through in Bryn Hall, Ihaia West and Simon Hickey coupled with Dan Bowden coming back but we still felt we were lacking a bit of experience through that combination.
"Piri Weepu left a bit of a hole but we think Jimmy's really going to step into that role and be fundamental to the growth of this franchise."
Former Southland and Highlanders player Cowan, 32, who now represents Tasman in the ITM Cup, said he was looking forward to returning to Super Rugby following a two-year stint with Gloucester.
