By Jon Geddes

WHEN Ben Batger took over as Eastern Suburbs coach this season he delivered a strong message to his rising No.10 Jack Bowen.

“Right from the start I said he’s got to get a little bit better with his game management,” Batger revealed to Rugby News.

“Jack wants to score off every play and we just talked about picking the right moments. He’s not perfect but he has 100 per cent got better at that.”             

That sage advice paid off big time with Bowen’s improved all round performances at Easts, which have now culminated in his selection as Waratahs’ starting five-eighth for Friday’s Super Rugby game against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium.

“We’ve been looking for opportunities to give Jack a game during the year and now he gets his chance to start after a promising performance from the bench last week,” said Waratahs coach Darren Coleman.