Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Finally pain-free, NSW Waratahs playmaker Jack Bowen is relishing a rare chance to start at Super Rugby Pacific level.
Tackling Fijian Drua on Saturday, the match is high-stakes for the Waratahs with their finals hopes hanging by a thread.
There’s also plenty riding on the match for Bowen and his some of his off-contract NSW teammates, with only two rounds remaining following this Suva fixture.
Playing in just his 15th match in four seasons and first start of the year, Bowen was excited to get an opportunity to showcase his skills and reunite with halves partner Teddy Wilson with their history dating back to junior rugby days.
He’s one of eight changes to the side that lost to the Highlanders in Dunedin last round.
“It’s a massive opportunity – it’s obviously come probably a little bit later again than I would have liked, but yeah, massive opportunity with three rounds to go,” Bowen said.
“It’s really good opportunity over here in Fiji to build off the second half we put in last week.”
He conceded there was a risk of over-playing his hand trying to impress wearing the No.10 jersey as NSW attempt to break a 15-game overseas losing streak.
“I’ve just got to do what’s best for the team and that’s my job as a 10, steer us around the park and put us in the right areas,” he said.
“I’ve just got to do what’s best for the team and if that option’s for me to run, kick or pass, it’s just doing that.
“It is tough, I won’t lie, but for me it’s just about doing what’s right for the team.”
Bowen’s game time at both Super and Shute Shield level has been limited since he steered Easts to an epic one-point win in the 2024 grand final.
He revealed he battled osteitis pubis since December 2024 and required painkillers to train and play last year.
“I basically used painkillers to get through the (2025) season and it was really tough at times, getting out of bed in the morning, my whole body aching, getting into my car to drive for training and all the daily preparation and recovery I had to do to make sure I was good to go,” Bowen said.
“I battled throughout that all last year and then got to that Lions game and ended up doing about nine months in rehab.
“My biggest strength is probably my running game and acceleration and I lost a lot of that, and then my kicking game, I probably lost 10 metres of my kick because of pain and restriction within that.
“My body’s definitely come a long way in the last year … I’m definitely back to 100 per cent now.”
