D.O.B 21st April 1986 Nationality Upper Hutt (Wellington) Birthplace New Zealander Height 6' 2" (1.88m) Weight 16st 6lbs (104.3kg) Position No. 8/Flanker Previous clubs Upper Hutt Honours Wellington Schools U19s, U21s Wellington 'B' Starts Rep Tries Cons Pens Drops Pts Season 2010/11 23 4 15 0 0 0 75 Season 2008/2009 1 4 1 0 0 0 5
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When 22 year old New Zealander Blair Cowan signed for the Pirates in January, 2009, he was gifted an immediate chance to impress. Indeed, within the same week of his Duchy arrival, he made his debut in the EDF Energy National Trophy Round 4 win against Southend, and then followed this up with his first league appearance at home to Manchester the week after, scoring a try when coming off the bench.

Having previously preferred football, Blair first turned to rugby at the age of 13, playing for Upper Hutt. A club that has produced a number of fine players over the years, including recent 'All Blacks' Cory Jane and Alby Mathewson, plus Nottingham's influential skipper Craig Hammond, who is a former New Zealand U19s player. Blair also played rugby for St. Patrick's College, Silverstream, which has a long history of sporting excellence.

After leaving St. Patrick's College, Blair went to Australia, when he put rugby aside to work as a drain layer in Brisbane. However, on his return, the former Wellington Schools player was invited to join the Wellington Academy, from where he progressed to play for the Under 21s (Colts) team and then the senior Wellington 'B' side, which he has recently captained.

Rugby highlights, besides skippering Wellington 'B', have been winning the Swindale Cup in 2005 with Upper Hutt, which was his first senior premier season with the club (it also the first time for 15 years that they had lifted the trophy), and propping against Jerry Collins in a Telecoms Sevens series encounter.

Blair has always appreciated the support given him by his family, which is one that has a defined Scottish connection. Mother Joan was born in Blairmore, Dunoon, and dad Mark also has Scottish ancestry (which is no surprise with the name Cowan). Also on our shores at present is sister Jacqueline, who works and lives in Edinburgh.

A well-known member of the Cowan family is first cousin Pekahou 'Pek' Cowan, a prop forward who plays for Western Force and has represented Australia 'A'.

In Blair's first full season with the Pirates in 2009-10 he added 29 more games to the 12 he had started with. More importantly, however, is the impact he had on the side as a forward who led by example and who certainly had 'a good nose' for the try-line.

Blair was our top-try scorer on 15 - 14 x league and 1 x cup - and at season's end it was no surprise to see him presented with the 'Roger Pascoe Cup', for being the supporters 'Player of the Season'. Also, and quite deservedly, he was named at No. 8 in the 'Rugby Times - Championship Dream Team'.