1. Debut
v Cats, Johannesburg, March 2003, lost 33-21
Cowan was whisked over to Africa as halfback Danny Lee was injured and could not take the field. Cowan actually got on the field but it was as a replacement winger, as the backline was decimated with injuries. The Highlanders fought back to 21-21 but the Cats finished strongly.
2. First start
v Reds, Invercargill, February 2004, won 39-8
After an impressive season for Southland, Cowan made his first start for the Highlanders the following year. He was part of a side which brutally dismantled the Reds on a chilly Invercargill night. Cowan set up a couple of tries, marshalled his forward pack well and did his share in defence.
3. Huge effort
v Stormers, Carisbrook, February 2007, won 35-24
After a barren spell of nearly two years, the Highlanders finally scored four tries to pick up a bonus point. Cowan was hugely influential in this game, his effort including a massive tackle which stopped Stormers lock Andries Bekker in his tracks and saved a try.
4. Booze bother
2008 Cowan got into trouble off the field and at one stage his career appeared to be on the brink. He was arrested three times and was convicted twice for disorderly behaviour, while the other charge was dropped. He was given an alcohol ban by the New Zealand Rugby Union and was on a final warning. That gave him the wake-up call he needed and he got his house in order.
5. 50th game
v Lions, Carisbrook, April 2008, won 29-20
The Highlanders were struggling with a raft of new players and a new coaching team. But when the hapless Lions arrived in town, the first victory of the season was secured, which was also Cowan's 50th game. He spread the ball well and helped midfield back Johnny Leota grab a double.
6. Captain Cowan
2009 Less than a year after his brushes with booze and the courts, Cowan was handed the captaincy armband by coach Glenn Moore. Moore felt Cowan had grown up tremendously in the previous year and as one of the leaders of the team was an obvious candidate to skipper the side.
7. Greatest game
v Bulls, Palmerston North, March 2009, won 36-12
It was a controversial call to take the Highlanders to Palmerston North and play the Bulls. But it worked, with a supportive crowd and the side smashing the Africans. Cowan was in doubt all week with a dodgy ankle, but put on a marvellous performance. He ran the game, scored a try, found space for his outsides and ran 80m to all but score another try.
8. A new regime
v Hurricanes, Wellington, February 2011, won 14-9
After an offseason of change, the Jamie Joseph-coached Highlanders got off to the best possible start with an upset win over the Hurricanes. Cowan set up the only try of the game and got through plenty of tackles.
9. Looking over the shoulder
v Chiefs, Hamilton, February 2012, won 23-19
Cowan started the first game of this season against the Chiefs. But after throwing a wonky pass which led to a Chiefs try, and a generally subdued first half, he was replaced by Aaron Smith. The Highlanders came back to win the game, with Smith scoring a try. He has been pretty much the preferred starter since.
