ITM Cup
Jimmy Cowan joins Tasman Makos
ESPN Staff
July 14, 2014
Jimmy Cowan in action during his final game for Southland, Southland v Northland, Invercargill, New Zealand, September 26, 2012
Jimmy Cowan formerly played for Southland in the ITM Cup © Getty Images
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Jimmy Cowan has signed a one-year deal to play for Tasman Makos in the ITM Cup after returning home to New Zealand after a two-year stint with Aviva Premiership side Gloucester.

"I'd negotiated with Southland also but obviously they've got a new coaching regime down there now and with their contracted players, they've already got two nines," Cowan told Fairfax Media in New Zealand.

While the door hadn't closed with Southland, the opportunity to work again with Tasman head coach Kieran Keane and assistant coach Leon MacDonald proved irresistible.

"I've played under KK [at the Highlanders, where Keane was an assistant while Cowan was playing] and I like the way he looks at a game and breaks the game down. He's got some great ideas and I've been watching [Tasman] over the last 12 months, and they play a very attractive game of rugby.

"They've got a great culture and all the boys are buying into what they're trying to do. I've chatted briefly with KK about the style he wants to play and I think it's right up my alley, so I'm looking forward to getting up there and adding my bit to it."

Cowan hasn't made any commitment about the possibility of chasing another Super Rugby contract, saying "I haven't looked that far ahead.

"My short-term focus is with the ITM Cup and, once that concludes, I'll reassess where I'm going. We'll see what happens."

Tasman secured promotion to the ITM Cup premiership with victory over Hawke's Bay Magpies in last season's championship final.

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