Rugby: Blues looking to lure Cowan to partner Carter

Jimmy Cowan. Photo / Dean Purcell

While Dan Carter seems set to sign for the Blues next year, there are also rumblings that New Zealand's northernmost Super 14 franchise are looking south for a halfback to partner him - All Black Jimmy Cowan.

The Blues 8-9-10 axis has long been a problem and, with their sights firmly set on Carter, the Blues are understood to be seeking a quality halfback to partner him.

Cowan's arrival in Auckland seems a lot less certain or a lot less advanced than Carter's. Cowan only recently signed NZRU and provincial contracts taking him through to the end of 2011.

That suggests he will stay put in Southland unless some kind of deal is done and Southland CEO Roger Clark seemed firmly of that mind.

"Jimmy's not going anywhere, mate. I know him really well and I very much doubt he's got a s***'s show of playing in Auckland."

However, there are signs the Blues are pushing the boat out on recruitment this year.

After some internal wrangling over the direction of the franchise, the Blues look likely to void their bank accounts to attract the talent they think likely to arrest their declining fortunes.

Already the money being dangled in front of Carter is suspected to be enormous and there have been further signals that some young talent, like the Hawkes Bay/Highlanders fullback Israel Dagg could also be lured north.

Clark also conceded it was possible Cowan could play his provincial/Air New Zealand Cup rugby for Southland and his Super 14 rugby with the Blues. Several players - like Wellington's Thomas Waldrom who played for the Crusaders this season - already do this and Clark acknowledged there might be steps to institute a 'franchise contract'.

That would enable franchises to contract players directly instead of having to do it through the relevant provincial set-up, as at present.

"Under the current rules, Jimmy couldn't do that," said Clark, "because he is one of the Highlanders' senior players and they'd have first crack at him.

"But I suppose some sort of deal could be done ...

"They are just talking about a franchise contract now and it all depends on several things, including what happens with the Air New Zealand Cup."

There is no doubt that the feisty, never-back-down Cowan would be a strong acquisition for the Blues and there could be an additional incentive for both Carter and Cowan if each knew the other was jumping ship.

However, it is thought the Cowan negotiations are not as far advanced and that the paperwork which features Cowan's name might still be a wish-list rather than a cast-iron contract.