Premier Rugby: Wallaby Ben Mowen returns to Tigerland

A former Wallabies captain has rejoined his childhood club in the hopes of steering them to the Finals. Across town, 400-gamer Hunter Thomas has opened up on when he’ll look for love again.

Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen has answered an emergency SOS to help guide Easts into the Queensland Premier Rugby finals.

The 15-test back-rower had informed his French club Pau that 2019 would be his last in professional rugby but Mowen plans to continue playing for his childhood club at least into next season.

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Mowen landed in Brisbane Airport on Friday morning in a race against the clock for permission to make his comeback in Saturday’s must-win clash against Norths.

Mowen hadn’t even learned his teammates’ names before taking the field but his second half cameo helped turn the match.

His Tigers had fallen behind Sefanaia Naivalu’s Norths 19-26 at the halftime break, when coach Moses Rauluni tapped Mowen on the shoulder.

With the Wallaby on the field Easts held Norths scoreless to win 35-26, keeping their season alive one more week.

Former Australian Wallabies player Ben Mowen has answered an SOS from his local rugby club Easts to play against Norths. Picture AAP/David Clark

Mowen said he had promised for years he would eventually return to the club.

“I’ve been thinking about coming back here for a long, long time and the feeling of getting a win at Tigerland again was awesome,” Mowen said.

“I’ve been hoping and wishing to play again for Easts and it’s the right time at the end of my career when I have the free time to play.

“I’m definitely going to play this season and next, but we’ll just finish up this season, see where we get to in finals and we’ll go from there.”

Mowen was swamped by wellwishers before and after his match-turning cameo. Picture AAP/David Clark

Across town, Wests Bulldogs reserve-grader Hunter Thomas scored a try that would end up being the difference in his 400th game for the club, with his first touch of the ball.

The hooker, who dumped his long-term girlfriend last year after she demanded he choose between her and his rugby club, said the day was more special than he could have imagined.

“I was kind of taking the p--- out of (the milestone) for a couple of weeks leading in but today has really brought home how special this day and the moment was,” Thomas said.

“There’s been a few tears and whatnot but they’ll all be forgotten with a couple of beers.”

Hunter Thomas scored with his first touch of the ball in his 400th match on Saturday. (AAP Image/Steve Pohlner)

And with the milestone achieved, was it time to start looking for love again?

“I’m a big believer in fate so someone will walk through the door one day, but at the moment I’m playing the waiting game,” Thomas said.

“I’ll wait until the end of the rugby season before I start looking for love.”

University defeated rivals Brothers 36-35, GPS defeated Sunnybank 27-20 and Wests beat Bond University 37-12.