So when he runs on to the field tonight, leading the side against the Crusaders, he will back into his environment, doing what he wants and is paid to do.
"It's always disappointing when you are watching and you spend the week with the guys who are training hard and they get out there and do not get the rewards," he said.
"I'm not a big spectator and I'm really looking forward to getting back on the ground.
"The elbow feels all right.
"I've got through a full training week and a couple of contact sessions."
Cowan was desperate to lead his troops back on the field after a false start in the opening game against the Brumbies when he sprained his right elbow while pushing a Brumbies player off early in the match, forcing him to miss the next two games.
"The guys are well aware at what is at stake.
We know what has to be done out there."
Cowan, who celebrated his 27th birthday yesterday, will be a key tonight and, although he is bound to be rusty after playing just 16 minutes of competitive rugby so far this season, his energy, experience, and enthusiasm should rub off on his team-mates.
He will go head-to-head with fellow All Black Andy Ellis - who passed a fitness test on an ankle yesterday - and be part of a Highlanders backline which, somewhat surprisingly, has more experience than the opposition.
If the Highlanders backs can hold on to the ball and keep up the attack, the side has shown it has the ability to score tries.
Highlanders first five-eighth Daniel Bowden has been in a rich vein of form and will want to continue, that while outside him, much is expected of Jayden Hayward.
He is a player of much promise, but this will be his first full test at this level.
But rugby matches are invariably won up front, and the Highlanders are up against a quality front eight.
Skipper Richie McCaw, lock Brad Thorn, impressive No 8 Thomas Waldrom and blindside flanker Kieran Read are all top-drawer players and will be ruthless on any mistakes.
Prop Ben Franks was cleared to play yesterday after passing a fitness test on a foot.
The Highlanders need to make the passes stick and get some energy off the home crowd to be in with a shout against a Crusaders team which has been slow out of the blocks this year.
Although there is plenty of rugby still to be played in this year's Super 14, a loss tonight for either side will make it hard to go further in the competition.
The Highlanders secured a mighty win last year against the Crusaders but coach Glenn Moore said that win had not been talked about this week.
"That was last year but in saying that, the way we won that game is the way we want to play - being aggressive, being accurate and having confidence in ourselves," Moore said.
"We just need to get our game right.
We are creating opportunities and we need to get good field position and be clinical when those opportunities come along."
Moore said it was the southern derby game and the Highlanders were playing last year's champion, so it was no problem players getting up for the game.
He said a big crowd would lift the side and the team wanted to do well on its home track.
"The crowd is really important for us - the way they can lift the boys' play and we can feed off them."
