Rugby: Bowden to take on kicking role

Daniel Bowden
Daniel Bowden
Daniel Bowden has been handed the goal-kicking duties for the Highlanders tomorrow night and believes he is a wiser player for this year's Super 14.

Bowden will wear the No 10 jersey for the Highlanders tomorrow night against the Brumbies at Carisbrook, ahead of Mathew Berquist, who has missed the 22-man squad.

Three Super 14 rookies are set to start for the Highlanders, while flanker Alando Soakai makes his return to top level rugby after six months out with a shoulder injury.

Coach Glenn Moore had the luxury of having all but one of his players available for selection, although midfield back Johnny Leota is under an injury cloud.

Lock Tom Donnelly is the only player definitely not available for selection because of an injured thumb.

Hawkes Bay fullback Israel Dagg will make his Super 14 debut, as will Otago's Ben Smith on the right wing.

Jayden Hayward has been bracketed with Leota at second five-eighth as Leota battles a rib injury.

Lock Josh Bekhuis will also have his first start of Super 14 rugby while Kendrick Lynn and Sean Romans and Hayward may also get their debuts off the bench.

Left winger Fetu'u Vainikolo has recovered well from a hamstring injury and has been named to start.

Vainikolo trained hard yesterday morning, and come through it well.

Leota was moving well yesterday and should be cleared to play in what will be his 50th first-class match.

Moore said it had been a hard team to pick with everyone performing well, and he felt sorry for those who missed out on not only the starting XV, but the squad of 22.

He said it was important to get off to a good start and that started with a win.

Bowden (24) said he was excited about the season and felt he was in better shape than last year, his debut year in the Super 14.

"I feel a bit wiser this year and have the expectation of what to expect after last year. Just the understanding of the pace of the game and lots of little things," Bowden said. "It is a step up from the Air New Zealand Cup."

Bowden has been entrusted with the goal-kicking and acknowledged plenty of people were asking about it.

"It's going well and I'm hitting the ball OK. We've done plenty of work with it."

Poor kicking cost the side victories last year. Lynn and Hayward can also kick goals.

Bowden had suffered from a groin strain through most of last year's Super 14, and said it was great to be injury-free this season.

"You can't really play at this level and expect to do any good when you're 80% fit. It's tough enough as it is."

Bowden was pleased with his own pre-season displays, and was looking to continue that form at Carisbrook tomorrow night.

The Highlanders were looking to attack more this season, he said, and be aware of where they were on the park.

Bowden expected the Brumbies to be a typical Australian side, with plenty of action and quick across the ground.

 

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