Upper Hutt Rams RFC: Blair Cowan

Upper Hutt's Blair Cowan has a bright future ahead of him. The energetic openside flanker has recently been named in the Wellington Colts squad for the second year in a row, the sole Upper Hutt representative in this year's U21s featuring six Norths players and five each from Marist St. Pat's and Hutt Old Boys Marist.

20 year-old Cowan has also a been a Wellington Academy member since 2006 and this year has been a consistent performer in the loose for Upper Hutt in an injury disrupted season, wearing the number seven jersey in every match until two weeks ago. Concussion prevented him taking the field in his side's Hardham Cup round three defeat to Johnsonville, but he bounced back quickly last week, scoring two tries against MSP.

The St. Pat's Silverstream old boy was almost lost to rugby the year after leaving school, initially starting 2004 with the neighbouring Stokes Valley U21s and then briefly with the Upper Hutt 21s, before moving to Australia for a year at the end of the pre-season. But he rejoined Upper Hutt at the start of 2005 and joined the premier squad - winning the Swindale Shield and making the Jubilee Cup semi-finals in his first year in the team. This was followed by representative honours for the Wellington U19s, ahead of the Academy and U21s selection.

Cowan's favourite ground is the ‘Stone' in Upper Hutt, his favourite rugby player is South Africa's Schalk Burger, favourite films are Snatch and the Star Wars movies. His favourite food is his mum's chicken fettucine, while away from rugby he enjoys surfing and snowboarding.

The 2007 Wellington Colts squad is: Blair Cowan (Upper Hutt); Wayne Aquila, Johnathan Bentley, James Kusel, Simon Malaeulu, Mike Pehi (HOBM); Ryan Kuggeleijn, Marcus Slade, Alex Tulou, Julian Tupai, Jackson Martin (MSP); Nathan Fotuali'i, Daley Harper, Tama Makamaka, Jeffery Makapelu, Telea Seumanutafa, Faasalele Utupo (Norths); Maehe Austin, Tom Everton, Paula Kinikinilau, Tomasi Palu (OBU); Motu Matu'u (Ories); Haimona Waititi (Poneke); Blake Irving, Damian Winter (Wests Roosters); Corey Draper, Feterika Sage, Ben Tupuola (Wainuiomata).

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