Ex-Wallaby Pek Cowan signs on for Western Force
He's back! You beauty. Frisby will add a bit of depth too
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Thursday, 2 July 2020 7:00AM
Western Force have brought home foundation member and former Wallabies front-rower Pek Cowan as they continue their signing spree and strengthen the squad for the Australian Super Rugby competition.
They have also snared another international, former Queensland Reds scrum-half Nick Frisby, who has returned to Australia after spells with French club Bordeaux and Pro 14 side Glasgow Rangers.
Fan favourite Cowan vowed never to play for another Australian club when the Force was guillotined from Super Rugby by Rugby Australia three years ago.
His former captain Matt Hodgson said Cowan deserved another opportunity to play for the club he joined as a teenager. Cowan has gained a release from Japanese side Shimizu Blue Sharks.
Cowan, 34, is the Forces second most capped player with 130 appearances, 11 behind Hodgson who is now Global Rapid Rugbys director of rugby. Cowan made 10 Wallabies appearances.
Cowan and Hodgson were the only two remaining foundation players when the club was axed.
I played with Pek for most of my career. He is a top bloke and a true Force player at heart, Hodgson said.
As soon as he saw there was an opportunity to play with the team, even for a short while, we both knew he had to be included.
After what happened in 2017 he left Australian rugby because he couldnt see himself playing for another Australian team. His return means a great deal to him and the club.
It will be massive to see Pek play rugby in Australia again.
Hodgson said Frisby would add another layer of experience to the team.
Nick is a very talented player who moved overseas for more opportunities, he said.
He is an intelligent scrum half with an exceptional running game that will be vital for the upcoming games.
He has matured his skills playing overseas and we are excited to bring this level of player back to Australia.
Frisby made 66 Reds appearances after his his 2012 debut and played four times for the Wallabies.
He signed for Glasgow two years ago and was looking at a move to New Zealand before the Force swooped.
Cowan will quarantine in Sydney and join the team at their NSW hub while Frisby, who is in Brisbane, will join his new teammates when they arrive in Sydney for their first game against the Waratahs in nine days.
The Force have also added Kyle Godwin, Greg Holmes, Jono Lance, Ollie Atkins, Kane Koteka and Jordan Luke to their squad.
Nick Taylor
The West Australian
Thursday, 2 July 2020 7:00AM
Western Force have brought home foundation member and former Wallabies front-rower Pek Cowan as they continue their signing spree and strengthen the squad for the Australian Super Rugby competition.
They have also snared another international, former Queensland Reds scrum-half Nick Frisby, who has returned to Australia after spells with French club Bordeaux and Pro 14 side Glasgow Rangers.
Fan favourite Cowan vowed never to play for another Australian club when the Force was guillotined from Super Rugby by Rugby Australia three years ago.
His former captain Matt Hodgson said Cowan deserved another opportunity to play for the club he joined as a teenager. Cowan has gained a release from Japanese side Shimizu Blue Sharks.
Cowan, 34, is the Forces second most capped player with 130 appearances, 11 behind Hodgson who is now Global Rapid Rugbys director of rugby. Cowan made 10 Wallabies appearances.
Cowan and Hodgson were the only two remaining foundation players when the club was axed.
I played with Pek for most of my career. He is a top bloke and a true Force player at heart, Hodgson said.
As soon as he saw there was an opportunity to play with the team, even for a short while, we both knew he had to be included.
After what happened in 2017 he left Australian rugby because he couldnt see himself playing for another Australian team. His return means a great deal to him and the club.
It will be massive to see Pek play rugby in Australia again.
Hodgson said Frisby would add another layer of experience to the team.
Nick is a very talented player who moved overseas for more opportunities, he said.
He is an intelligent scrum half with an exceptional running game that will be vital for the upcoming games.
He has matured his skills playing overseas and we are excited to bring this level of player back to Australia.
Frisby made 66 Reds appearances after his his 2012 debut and played four times for the Wallabies.
He signed for Glasgow two years ago and was looking at a move to New Zealand before the Force swooped.
Cowan will quarantine in Sydney and join the team at their NSW hub while Frisby, who is in Brisbane, will join his new teammates when they arrive in Sydney for their first game against the Waratahs in nine days.
The Force have also added Kyle Godwin, Greg Holmes, Jono Lance, Ollie Atkins, Kane Koteka and Jordan Luke to their squad.