Bad boy Cowan benched
May 15 2008
Scrum-half Jimmy Cowan, due in court on Friday over a charge of disorderly conduct, has been benched for the Highlanders' final Super 14 match of the season against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.
With a lengthy injury list to contend with, Highlanders coach Glenn Moore has been forced into making numerous changes from the side that started last week against the Blues who won 40-15.
Daniel Bowden comes in at fly-half for Mike Delany who drops to full-back in place of Paul Williams.
Williams shifts to the wing.
Other changes to the backs include Niva Ta'auso replacing Aaron Bancroft at centre and Toby Morland at number nine for Cowan.
In the forwards, Tim Boys (flanker), Hayden Triggs (lock) and Chris King (prop) respectively start in place of the injured Alando Soakai, Hoani MacDonald and Jamie Mackintosh.
At hooker, David Hall comes in for Jason MacDonald who drops to the bench.
Other players unavailable because of injury are Matt Saunders, James Wilson, Brett Mather and Steven SetephaNo
The Highlanders are 11th in the standings with just two wins going into their final game of the season.
Cowan, 26, was to appear in Dunedin District Court after an alleged incident of disorderly behaviour following the Highlanders loss to the Blues.
While details haven't been confirmed, it is understood it was a fairly minor incident in the Octagon that didn't involve any property damage.
Cowan was understood to have spent time in police custody.
Highlanders: 15 Mike Delany, 14 Paul Williams, 13 Niva Ta'auso, 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Craig Newby (c), 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 Clint Newland, 2 David Hall, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Jason Macdonald, 17 Keith Cameron, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 George Naoupu, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Aaron Bancroft, 22 Glen Horton.
Date: Saturday, May 17
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 (07:35 GMT)
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand), Josh Noonan (New Zealand)
Television match official: Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
Assessor: Kim Eichmann (New Zealand)