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Cowan confirms departure for Gloucester

NZ Newswire April 17, 2012, 5:22 pm

All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan will leave New Zealand to join the English club Gloucester later this year.

Cowan has been rumoured to be in discussion with Gloucester for some time and his signature was confirmed on Tuesday.

"Jimmy has been an outstanding All Black and given his all every time he has worn the black jersey," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

"He is a passionate player and fantastic team man who wears his heart on his sleeve. When he does go, he goes with the best wishes of the team."

Cowan, 28, this year became the second person to play 100 Super Rugby games for the Highlanders, following Anton Oliver, though he has spent much of this season on the bench following the emergence of Aaron Smith.

He has played 51 tests for the All Blacks since his debut in 2004, along with 94 games for Southland.

Meanwhile, the Highlanders confirmed first five-eighth Mike Delany and loose forward Hale T-Pole are back from Japanese stints to join the squad.

Delany, a 2008 Highlander, comes from Japan to join the team following injuries to Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga.

T-Pole, a Highlander between 2004 and 2007, will cover for John Hardie, who is out for the season with a foot injury.

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craig11:49pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 ESTReport Abuse
What a load of bollocks. Cowan is so far out of form and off the pace that there was no way he was going to be in the AB mix. He can't even make the Highlanders run on team so what does that say for him. Hanson's saying all the praise is just a cover up for what he has told Cowan and that is see ya mate.
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craig11:45pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 ESTReport Abuse
What a load of bollocks. Cowan is so far out of form and off the pace that there was no way he was going to be in the AB mix. He can't even make the Highlanders run on team so what does that say for him. Hanson's saying all the praise is just a cover up for what he has told Cowan and that is see ya mate.
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Plus 510:21pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 ESTReport Abuse
now if only he would take mealamu, nonu, weepu, williams, mccaw (hes done everything time to look after whats left of his body) with him. In fact except for woodcock, hobbs, ainscombe he can take the entire blues squad with him and I would chuck the coach in for free.
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The Chosen One08:36pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 ESTReport Abuse
Shame as he had a bit of fire in him.Still at his age he should go for all the money he can get.
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Brent08:00pm Tuesday 17th April 2012 ESTReport Abuse
You from Invercargill by chance Still Water. Jimmy was good at a time when the AllBlacks didn't have a class 9 and we still havn't. Andy Ellis is the best in my book. It's no wonder Jimmy's been knocked off his perch at highlanders. All it was gonna take was someone with a bit of class turning up. Good luck to ya tho..he'll go well in the northern hemisphere style of play
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