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Players/Officials: Scott Bowen

Teams: Australia | New South Wales Waratahs

Former Australia and New South Wales Waratahs outside-half Scott Bowen has inked a deal to become the High Performance Manager with the Waratahs as they step up their preparations for the 2009 Super 14 season.

Bowen played nine Tests for the Wallabies in the mid-90s whilst guiding the Waratahs back-line through the early stages of professionalism and is the Waratahs' second most capped fly-half with 49 appearances. He has been building his coaching credentials with Australian club side Eastern Suburbs since 2002.

"It's really exciting to be returning to the Waratahs in a professional capacity," said Bowen. "It's a really exciting role. There's such a pool of talent out there and it's such a competitive marketplace that being able to secure good young players as well attracting other elite professionals to the organisation is proving tougher and tougher.

"NSW Rugby and the Waratahs have some really good structures in place already and I'm really looking forward to hitting the ground running in 2009."

The Waratahs lost in the final of last season's Super 14 under former coach Ewen McKenzie, and will be targeting another strong showing under new Head Coach Chris Hickey this time out. Bowen will work alongside the first team as well as helping out with youth teams and scouting.

"Scott is a fantastic acquisition for NSW Rugby," said Jim L'Estrange, NSWRU's Chief Executive Officer. "His coaching credentials are extremely strong and he has a great eye for talent coming through the ranks which is so important in the professional game.

"He is a Waratah through and through and we're really looking forward to him coming on board early in the new year. Securing Scott's services completes the off-field team for what should be an exciting season ahead in 2009."