Mowen delights in finally making the big time

On a difficult night in Brisbane for the Wallabies, Ben Mowen was one of the shining lights for Robbie Deans’ wounded troops during their ill-fated opening match against the Lions.

After a stellar season captaining Jake White’s high-flying ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby tournament, Mowen was handed the number six shirt for the epic opening Test. It was the backrower’s first cap and the former Queensland and New South Wales flanker took to the international scene with ease with his man-marking of Lions scrum-half Mike Philips a particular highlight.

After years in the international wilderness, Mowen looks set to be a mainstay in this new-look Wallabies outfit, and the athletic forward admits it’s been a tough road to the top.