The Highlanders have had their share of easily describable characters. Nick Evans was effervescent. Brendan Laney was ebullient. Pita Alatini was light-footed. Tony Brown was reliable. And Jeff Wilson was golden.
He has yet to set foot on the field in a Super 14 game but Daniel Bowden, the big new hope in the post-Evans Highlanders era, has already picked himself up an adjective: cheeky.
It's in his smile, in his springstepped walk and, his coaches hope, in the manner in which he will ignore his inexperience to play with confidence and joie de vivre in the world's most demanding rugby competition.
‘‘I possibly am a bit cheeky,'' Bowden laughed after the Otago Daily Times suggested that was the reputation he had earned. ‘‘I don't mind getting smart to a few of the older boys in the squad. A little bit of joking with the guys never goes astray.
‘‘You've got to have fun and you've got to enjoy what you're doing. We'd still be playing rugby if it wasn't professional, and if there's a smile on everybody's face, the odds are we'll play better rugby.''
It is just as well Bowden has a relaxed approach, because if he sat down and jotted down the responsibilities on his shoulders, he might tense up just a little.
He is the starting first five-eighth, the glamour position on a rugby team. He's replacing Evans, who is just an All Black and one of the most naturally talented players in the country.
He's got new laws to learn. He's had to leave the north and settle in a new Dunedin home.
Then there is the small matter of making his Super 14 debut in the heat of Brisbane when the Highlanders play the Reds tonight.
‘‘There is a bit of pressure when you think of those factors,'' Bowden acknowledged.
‘‘Nick is a quality player and I suppose people look at me and talk about me replacing him. But in my mind, I'm here to do a job for the team and all I can do is worry about myself and what I can do to help the Highlanders.
‘‘I'm really excited and I'm looking forward to the challenge. To be honest, I'm a little bit nervous, but I think that's a good thing.
‘‘The main thing is doing well as a team, getting an early win on the board and getting our season rolling.''
Bowden will have a fellow rookie, Johnny Leota, one place outside him in the backline, but closer to the scrum he will be guided by former All Black and relative veteran Jimmy Cowan.
The pair, one educated at Auckland Grammar and one a product of semi-rural Mataura, do not instantly appear a simple fit but Bowden said he was delighted to be playing alongside Cowan.
‘‘Jimmy's great. He's always willing to help out and offer advice and he's been in most situations before, so I'll look to him a bit.
‘‘But in saying that, I'm backing myself to step up, too. I know it will be challenging but, I mean, it's my time to show I can do it.''
Bowden, who has played for Northland the past three seasons, was widely regarded as the most valuable prospect on the New Zealand players' market last winter, so it was regarded as a minor coup for Otago to get him.
What the coaches like is his confidence, especially when it comes to decision-making. They like his quick hands and his willingness to take the ball to the line. Add steady goalkicking ability and you have the makings of a fair player.
Bowden gets his first taste of the big time tonight when he meets the Reds and their budding Wallaby first five star, Berrick Barnes. Future individual clashes with superstars like the Crusaders' Daniel Carter the Force's Matt Giteau, the Sharks' Frederic Michalak and the Blues' Evans will come later
Bowden believes the Highlanders will play an exciting brand of rugby, and people will be surprised by the new-look backline.
He could have been in blueand-gold colours before now Three years ago, he had agreed to come to the Otago Rugby Academy before Northland tapped him on the shoulder and offered the carrot of an immediate place in the team.
He joined the Wellsford club spent a couple of years backing up David Holwell and playing a little bit of second five and fullback, and came into his own as a regular starter last year.
Northland has been his base but Auckland, where he was born and schooled, remains home. His family still lives in the city, as does his partner, New Zealand women's football captain Hayley Moorwood.
In Dunedin, Bowden is flatting with fellow Northland player Fetu'u Vainikolo. And the Highlanders have big hopes for both young men.
