Rugby: Kiwi prop latest Deans' Wallaby

Ten years ago Pekahou Cowan was striding the fairways at Wellington's Shandon club, hitting at driving ranges alongside Michael Campbell and eyeing a career as a golf pro.

But it was another Kiwi sporting icon who gave Cowan his biggest break this week, when Robbie Deans called to offer the 116kg prop a spot in his Wallabies squad.

Cowan, Pek to his mates, yesterday joined his Western Force teammate Matt Hodgson as the two newest Wallabies when Deans unveiled his first 30-man squad of the year.

Born and raised in the Hutt Valley, Cowan recalls being a year behind Hurricanes lock Jeremy Thrush at school, but rated golf as his first sporting love.

He first picked up a club at age 7, followed the spike marks of top professional Mark Brown at Shandon and was down to a four handicap by his 15th birthday.

"I was lucky enough to see [Campbell] play a few times and he was down at the driving range I used to go to. He was one of the guys I looked up to," said Cowan.

"It's a really hard sport to crack into, and I did enjoy playing rugby and league a bit more. That was where my heart was. As a kid in New Zealand you can do everything, and golf was a little bit left field. I just found I was naturally good at it."

Cowan, now 22, moved to Sydney at 13 when his father changed jobs, and after taking a golf scholarship at Long Reef on the northern beaches, the oval ball beckoned.

He was a natural, making the Australian schoolboys team in 2003, the under-19s in 2004 and the under-21s in 2005. Making the Wallabies has been his dream ever since.

But it still didn't ease the shock when Deans called last Monday and summoned Cowan from Perth to Sydney, having played all but one of the Force's Super 14 matches this year. Cowan missed the initial call because he was driving, and didn't recognise Deans' number when he checked.

"The music was on really loud. I just put a new system into my car so I was trying it out.

"I think the song was Jason Mraz, I'm Yours. It will definitely go down as one of my favourites, my good luck song.

"I couldn't believe it. I was kind of shocked. I didn't check the message until I got inside and my partner Megan was looking at me with this weird look. She said I looked white."

After three attempts, Deans finally answered.

"The first thing I said was sorry. I won't miss another call," Cowan said.

The Force scrum was solid this year and John Mitchell, the former All Blacks coach, brought out the best in his compatriot.

"He's been massive, a fantastic coach. He's not a coach who will just pick who everyone expects him to pick. He's happy to give young guys a go," Cowan said. "He's a bit like Robbie Deans in a way, he'll go on form as opposed to who you are. That's given me the opportunity and brought me here today."

WALLABIES SQUAD

Backs: Josh Valentine, Luke Burgess, Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, Quade Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross, Lote Tuqiri, Peter Hynes, Lachie Turner, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor.

Forwards: Benn Robinson, Ben Alexander, Al Baxter, Pek Cowan, Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Peter Kimlin, Dean Mumm, Matt Hodgson, George Smith, David Pocock, Phil Waugh, Richard Brown.

- NZPA