Western Force prop Pek Cowan insists he’s not dreaming about a Wallabies recall just yet despite his outstanding start to the Super Rugby season.
Force forwards coach Nick Stiles has praised the influence of Cowan, declaring the 116kg powerhouse in career-best form and deserving of another crack in the Wallabies’ set-up.
Cowan will reach an important milestone on Saturday night when he fronts up for his 50th Super Rugby cap in the Force’s must-win clash with Queensland Reds in Perth.
The 25-year-old’s work at the scrum and around the field this season has earned glowing plaudits from the Force’s coaching staff.
Cowan has notched just five Tests for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2009, failing to reach any great heights in those games.
But Stiles believes Cowan has finally hit his straps and would excel if given another crack at the top level.
“It’s funny. Pek’s been in the Wallabies for the last couple of years and maybe hasn’t played his best football,” Stiles said on Tuesday.
“But now he’s playing his best football.
“When I spoke to Pek two years ago, I wanted him to become a more dominant scrummager and an aggressive ball carrier.
“He was someone who always worked well in the team environment, but probably wasn’t as much of a leader in terms of his work with the ball and at scrum time.
“This year he’s produced his best football by being very good at the set piece and his aggression now is coming out around the field.”
Cowan said he had been pleased with the way the forwards had worked together this season.
“We just looked at a few stats today. Scrum-wise we’re 100 per cent for the season and at the lineout we’re 93.5 per cent for the season,” Cowan said.
“We’re sitting pretty like that. But we just need to contribute a bit more to get over the line.
“The green and gold jumper’s always at the back of your mind, but playing for sea of blue is my first priority and anything else that comes after that I’m happy to take.”
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