Coach Glenn Moore has described new Highlanders captain Jimmy Cowan as an outstanding young individual in whom he has the utmost confidence and faith.
Cowan (26) was named as the Highlanders captain for the 2009 season yesterday, with prop Jamie Mackintosh and centre Jason Shoemark named vice-captains.
When asked whether picking Cowan as captain was a left-field selection, Moore said "no" in a quick and blunt manner.
"Jimmy showed a lot of courage and commitment with what went on last year.
"A lot of people would have walked away with what he faced with but he stuck it out and came through it," Moore said.
"He is our most experienced player, has been playing Super 14 for a good number of years and his rugby has been a high standard."
Cowan was arrested three times last year, resulting in two convictions for disorderly behaviour and a third charge being dropped.
He was placed on an alcohol ban but bounced back to make the All Black starting line-up, and enjoyed a fine Grand Slam tour.
Moore said Cowan had learned a lot from the incidents last year and moved on.
"We all face times in our lives when we make decisions which may not be the best. It's how we bounce back from them that makes you.
"I'm totally comfortable with the decision. Jimmy is in a good space."
Being part of the All Blacks set-up also helped Cowan, Moore said, and he could bring some of the leadership qualities he learned with the All Blacks into the Highlanders camp.
He said having a leadership team on the field should lead to better decision making on the field.
"Last year we lost a number of games by one, two and three points. By having that leadership group they can make shared decisions under pressure."
There were several candidates for the job but Cowan stood out, Moore said.
He was not concerned about his lack of previous captaincy, saying a shared leadership group would help, and Cowan wanted to develop his leadership.
The selection of Cowan is a surprise, as Mackintosh appeared the likely candidate, with the big prop having led Southland last season and captained several national age-group sides in the past five years.
Moore declined to say who else was considered for the captain's role but Mackintosh has only played one full Super 14 season and he might be best left to concentrate on his own game.
Shoemark was an option but he comes from outside the region and is new to the squad.
Cowan is first-choice in his position and has matured in the past year, benefiting from being in the All Blacks environment.
His running game has come on while his defensive game has always been sound.
Cowan is the sixth designated Highlanders captain, taking over from Craig Newby, and is the first Southlander in the role.
He does not have a background in captaincy, and he admitted as much yesterday.
"I captained a team in a Highlanders pre-season trial match last year but that is pretty much it," Cowan said.
"I'm not really sure what sort of style of captain I'll be. It's only day one here at training so it is a bit early to tell.
"I'll have my own style. I've played under a few good captains and still am."
Cowan said the side wanted to do away with the term of "just being competitive" and win games.
"We've got some new boys in here from Hawkes Bay and the likes of Jayden Hayward while we can call on some senior players like Jamie Mackintosh, Adam Thomson and Tom Donnelly."
