Rugby: Bowden wants to make things happen against Stormers

Daniel Bowden of the Highlanders. Photo / Getty Images

Daniel Bowden insists the Highlanders will be on Stormers alert for their Super 14 rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin tomorrow night.

The Stormers have won only two games but, until their 11-34 loss to the Hurricanes last weekend, they had not lost by more than seven points.

"We've heard on the grapevine they're targeting us for a win," second five-eighth Bowden said.

"They've had a string of narrow losses so we know they'll hang in for the whole game.

"We're going to have to produce a complete 80-minute performance to come away with the points. The Stormers are stacked with internationals and they're certainly not easybeats.

"They've had a bad injury run and lost a few key players. They've been away a long time and they'll be looking forward to trying to beat us and then get back home."

There has been much soul searching among the Highlanders this week after their 6-26 loss to the Blues in Auckland last Friday.

"We lost the battle of the breakdown and that's crucial these days," Bowden said.

"The Blues were able to slow the ball down on our attack and that made it easy for them to defend. We couldn't really get any momentum.

"We can't go into a game expecting things to happen. We were still on a high - we'd won three in a row - and maybe we just allowed a wee bit of complacency to creep in."

The Highlanders have not been able to regain their momentum after the bye which followed their 36-12 victory over the Bulls.

"In hindsight, maybe the bye didn't come at a great time," Bowden said.

"Maybe we lost some momentum but, at the same time, we had some pretty battered bodies which needed a rest."

Bowden has played the last three games at second five-eighth after starting the campaign in the No 10 jersey, but said he was comfortable in either position.

"I'm happy to be on the field, that's the first thing. Sometimes I prefer to be at No 10 because you get your hands on the ball a bit more.

"But I'm enjoying playing outside Matty Berquist and we've got a good combination going.

"And I guess it's all part of the learning experience. (All Black) Dan Carter played at 12 before he specialised at 10 so it's good to have two strings to the bow."

Bowden, 24, who has played 18 games for the Highlanders, nine for Otago and 27 for Northland, has signed to play for Auckland in the Air NZ Cup this year so tomorrow is likely to be his last appearance for the Highlanders at Carisbrook.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Highlanders so, if this happens to be my last home game for them, I'd love to go out with a win."

There are two changes from the Highlanders team who started against the Blues.

Jason Rutledge replaces Southland teammate David Hall at hooker and Hayden Triggs comes in at lock for Josh Bekhuis.

- NZPA