Ben revels in final Brisbane farewell
GOLD RUSH FOR HOOPS STARS
BEN Mowen has few regrets about his surprise split from the Wallabies for a French future which has spawned two beautiful children and a fresh view on Kiwis in rugby.
One unexpected plus is being spun back to Brisbane to play at Suncorp Stadium for a final time after saying his goodbyes to the ground as a Brumby in 2014.
The former Wallabies skipper is back in town in the vanguard of international stars for the two- day Brisbane Global Rugby Tens starting next Friday.
Backrower Mowen, 33, is a frontline figure for Pau, the French club which will field seven All Blacks including two- time World Cup- winner Conrad Smith.
“It’s been a pretty amazing ride and to think I get to play one more time at Suncorp Stadium in front of family and friends is a bonus I never expected,” Mowen said.
Mowen made a brief visit to Easts where his career began.
When he presented one of his Wallaby jerseys to his jun- ior club a few years ago, he signed it “Tiger for Life”.
Former club president Tim Stoddart liked the tone so much he made it the new motto for the club’s juniors.
Mowen battled for years to earn a gold jersey and when he did in 2013 it was over in a sixmonth blur of 15 Tests and a surprise elevation to the captaincy.
He made the tough decision to pursue a new lifestyle and financial security for his young family in France where he has played four seasons with Montpellier and Pau.
“It’s definitely been a good move,” Mowen said.
Playing beside Smith, Colin Slade, Jamie Macintosh and the rest of Pau’s Kiwi connection has opened Mowen’s eyes.
“There’s no love lost playing against each other but there’s definitely a camaraderie and fun when you come together,” Mowen said.
The trans- Tasman link has extended to Mowen and wife Lauren opening a cafe in France called Beanz with Slade and his wife Emma which unites the “A” and “NZ” in the name. TOWNSVILLE’S junior basketball programs continue to make their case as the best in Queensland after some outstanding results at the State Championships.
Four of the city’s team brought home gold medals from their respective tournaments, the under- 16 boys Heat, under- 16 girls Flames and Lightning and the under- 18 girls Flames.
The raft of incredible results started when the under- 16 boys Heat took down the Southern District Spartans 66- 61 in the state championship final.
Former Townsville Crocodiles big man Greg Vanderjagt coached the team to victory, with the Heat’s Harry Pennisi named as tournament MVP.
The Townsville Flames also got it done in division one of the under- 16s, with tournament MVP Chailee Ward leading the side to a 66- 57 grand final win over North Gold Coast.
The girls were coached by Brad Kann and went undefeated in 22 games throughout an incredible season.
Townsville’s under- 16 division two girls side the Lightning matched the efforts of the Flames as they also were unbeaten through 22 games in their season.
The Brett Hodkinson- coached team capped it off with a comfortable 64- 57 win over the Caboolture Suns in the state championships gold medal game.
Finishing up Townsville’s gold rush were the under- 18 girls Flames, with Townsville QBL coach Mike St- Maurice helping guide the team to gold thanks to a 64- 51 grand final win over Ipswich.
Australian representative Alex Fowler led the way for the Flames all tournament and was a deserving winner of the tournament MVP.