Bowen to make first start for Waratahs

It's been a big week for Jack Bowen. The talented youngster has not only been selected to start his first match at flyhalf for his beloved NSW Waratahs, but he is also looking to play his first game at Allianz Stadium in Super Rugby in the fiery interstate clash against the Queensland Reds.

Despite never playing a home game for the Waratahs, Bowen is no stranger to the heat of the clash against the Reds, after making a potent impact from the bench in Round 1 at Suncorp Stadium. 

“It’s that state rivalry that everyone speaks about," Bowen said. "As a kid growing up you always want to be a part of it.

"I can’t wait for that feeling to go out and run out there. I have been going there ever since I was six, seven years old watching the Waratahs and watching all these legends play.

"To get the opportunity to go out there and do that this Friday night will be pretty special for me and my family.”

Bowen is a local junior who developed through the NSW Pathways Program and is currently aligned with the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Club. Through the 2024 Shute Shield season Bowen has played a pivotal role in contributing to their success in holding third place on the ladder. 

Balancing his time between playing for Easts and training full-time for the Waratahs, Bowen explained that “The coaching staff have installed confidence in me all year and have been really good in letting me go back and play for Easts and play 80 minutes there.

"Being outside and training with guys at the Waratahs that are Wallabies and guys who have done it for 10 - 15 years has been awesome.”

The rising flyhalf is a player with huge potential looking to gain a more permanent position in the Waratahs' top side moving forward. 

“Getting a taste of it at the start of the year was what I wanted to achieve this year,” Bowen explained and emphasised his eagerness to “get back out there and get on the big stage again. It's all I want to be doing and something I want to continue to be doing.”

Despite the 2024 Super Rugby campaign not being the Waratahs best, the players and coaches alike are taking many lessons and positives away.

Bowen spoke of the appreciation for the coaching staff and the support he has been receiving explaining that they have been “giving me a heap of feedback on what I need to do to get back in the team.

“We haven’t got the results we have wanted this year but to be able to continue to grow and develop my game under these awesome coaches and some pretty awesome players has been really good for me this year.”

This Friday night's clash is Grassroots Round which is an opportunity for the players to represent their junior rugby clubs by wearing their respective socks.

“It’s a special round for us as players being able to give back to those clubs that have invested in us from a young age," Bowen said.

Match Details:

Super Rugby Pacific - Round 15: NSW Waratahs v Queensland Reds

Friday May 31 at Allianz Stadium.

Kick-off 7:35pm AEST.