'Soft underbelly' Makos' only flaw [Nelson Mail]
Tasman rugby boss Andrew Flexman has given the Tasman Makos a positive 70 percent pass mark after what he considered a satisfying ITM Cup provincial campaign.
Following last season's disappointing return of just two wins from 10 games, Flexman said that this year's five-win, five-loss round robin record, followed by last weekend's championship semifinal loss to Otago, represented a "vastly improved" showing by the team.
"In terms of the round robin, we won as many as we lost and I think we played some pretty attractive football in the process and, I have no doubt, won the hearts and minds of rugby supporters across the country who, in many cases, all seemed to adopt Tasman as their second team," Flexman said.
"[That] was pleasing and I think indicative of the kind of rugby we're playing and endeavouring to play.
"From my perspective, I'd give the season a seven out of 10, but I think also we've now got a base to work from and if we want to be contenders in the future in both potentially the premiership but also this championship division, then one area we need to improve, we just have to develop a bit of a harder edge mentally.
"At times during the season, we showed, I think, a bit of a soft underbelly when we were really put under pressure. And I think that's partly related to a relatively new crop of guys coming together, and that's an experience thing and also a self belief thing."
Flexman said the the union was already well advanced in terms of player recruitment and hoped to have up to 16 of this year's key players re-signed by christmas.
"I know for a fact, having spoken to just about all the players, that they've absolutely loved being a part of the environment which augurs well for recruitment and recontracting.
"I'm certainly pretty pleased with where we're at and all of these guys have shown a genuine willingness to recommit to us.
"I can definitely see us having the nucleus of this side together again next year, which is pleasing."
He said that re-signing a player like star winger Peter Betham, who equalled the province's record of six tries for the season, was contingent on whether he re-signs with the Waratahs Super 15 franchise and whether they'd release him.
"I think the most likely prospect of us potentially getting our hands on Peter again is if he was to link with a New Zealand-based franchise. And in that scenario, he's indicated unequivocally that he'd like to come back."
He said that dynamic No 8 Jordan Taufua, who is contracted to the Canterbury union, was unlikely to return, given his impressive form for Tasman as a loan player this year.
In terms of coaching, Flexman said that both head coach Kieran Keane and his assistant Leon MacDonald were off contract at the end of the year and that the board had determined at the end of last season that, irrespective of this season's results, they would readvertise the positions.
"We've given that indication to our stakeholders, so we absolutely plan to deliver on that. So we will go through a process of fully reviewing the season in the next couple of weeks."
He said that Keane and MacDonald had both expressed interest in returning for another season.
"The team's made very good progress this year and I think in both cases, we're extremely fortunate to have the two coaches that we have and I'd like to think that they'd both put themselves forward for consideration next year.
"I think there's a universal view amongst the players, the management group and also the board that they're extremely good at what they do."
Flexman said that those appointments would also be confirmed by Christmas.
