Cowan, Mackintosh attacked by skinheads

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Southland All Blacks Jimmy Cowan and Jamie Mackintosh have been praised by their bosses following an incident where they were reportedly set upon by a group of skinheads in the Coromandel.The New Zealand Herald reported that Cowan, Mackintosh and All Black first five-eighth Stephen Donald were attacked by a group described as skinheads in the early hours of December 29 after a Blacks Seeds concert at the Coroglen Tavern.
Mercury Bay taxi driver Sean Campbell witnessed the attack by "six or seven" men over three to four minutes.

He later drove the All Black trio to Matarangi, where they were staying, after Cowan asked him for assistance.At one point the 130kg Mackintosh reportedly covered Donald, who was left with facial injuries, with his body to protect him.
Neither Cowan nor Mackintosh were willing to comment yesterday, Cowan saying via text that the incident had been "blown out of context".

Their agent, Tom Downey, spoke with the players yesterday.
Unfortunately, dealing with these sorts of incidents was a fact of life for high-profile people, Mr Downey said."It's probably a good example of the potential for high-profile people to be the target of a certain group of people. It's something all high-profile sports people need to be aware of," Downey said.