NSW Waratahs playmaker Jack Bowen starred in his side’s extra-time win last Saturday against the Western Force to keep their finals hopes alive going into Saturday’s Round 16 Super Rugby Pacific away match against the Blues.
At HBF Park in Perth last Saturday, Bowen played off the bench, and then kicked a penalty goal late in the second half to lock the scores at 17-17.
He missed a penalty kick in Super Point time; but his cut-out pass in the 89th minute set up winger Darby Lancaster for a try to win the match 22-17.
Bowen spoke to media on Tuesday after training at the NSW Waratahs' base at Daceyville in Sydney on Monday. He admitted that the emotional rollercoaster of the decisive moments made their first away win for 2025 more special.
“It was massive,” Bowen said.
“I’ve got to thank ‘Darbs’ for saving my back there [for] obviously missing that [penalty] kick; but to be in that situation, knowing our season was genuinely on the line was awesome, and the confidence in the group and how calm we were out there was something that we can take confidence into this week with.”
The 22-year-old was confident about stepping up for the kick at the 74th minute for a penalty goal to seal the win that narrowly missing the mark. But rather than dwell on it he refocused and delivered the crucial assist to seal the win.
“I was confident going into the kick. As a kicker you want to kick those kicks,” Bowen said.
“That is what you dream about as a kid … having those shots to win.
"But once I missed, I knew I had to make up for it somehow … get the ball to ‘Darbs’ and see what he can do."
With four straight losses and their finals campaign hanging by a thread, the NSW Waratahs showed terrific composure in wet conditions and extra time.
“I thought the whole team moved the ball really well for how wet it was, and we were just really composed which was massive in extra time,” Bowen said.
Now all eyes turn to Eden Park in Auckland. There, the NSW Waratahs must beat the defending Super Rugby Pacific champion Blues to stay in the hunt for a top six finish.
The NSW Waratahs haven’t won there since 2009, but the squad is embracing the underdog tag and the chance to rewrite history.
“This week is our semi-final … to go over there and treat it as a semi-final and earn another week [in the competition] is really exciting,” Bowen said.
“Going over there and doing something that a Waratahs side hasn’t done for a decade is something that is really exciting.”
Asked about the team's mood, Bowen said the squad had turned the corner after a tough month and was feeling energised by the opportunity.
“It’s a big game for both sides, and outside these walls probably no one is expecting us to go over there and get it done,” Bowen said.
“That takes the pressure off us and eases us up a little, but it’s a massive challenge we are going to be up for, and we have to go over and beat them.
“They are not going to beat themselves. We have to go and attack them.”
“A massive thing is the mindset, going over there and genuinely believing we can win,” he said.
“We genuinely have the belief this week that we can go over there and beat them.”
Bowen knows the NSW Waratahs must be clinical against a dangerous Blues outfit that includes All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett, especially to disrupt him.
Asked how they can contain Barrett, Bowen said: “That’s the million-dollar question.
“In the back field we are going to have to be on our money and make sure he plays off slow ball.
“Otherwise, when he has quick ball and playing on top of teams, he can make you look like a fool.
“For us, it’s going to start up front and being really physical to try and slow his ball down so that he is playing off static ball and we can really go after him.”
Where: Eden Park, Auckland
When: Saturday, 31 May, 2025
Kick-off: 2.35 pm (AEST)
The game will be televised LIVE on Stan Sport - The Home of Rugby
