Malneek & Goodman not returning from Europe [Nelson Mail]

Two of the Tasman Makos most experienced backs, Andrew Goodman and Robbie Malneek, won't be returning for this season's ITM Cup rugby campaign.

The odds had always favoured last year's captain Goodman remaining with Irish club side Leinster for another season although Malneek has now also confirmed he's exercising an out-clause in his contract and will remain in France where he's been playing offseason.

Malneek's 73 appearances for Tasman makes him the province's most capped player, while Goodman has played 53 games. That represents a major loss in experience for the coming season although with 18 players already signed, Tasman chief executive Andrew Flexman said there was still a solid core of players available.

"I think we've got really good depth and continuity so notwithstanding some of those more high-profile losses that we've had, I think if we can find the quality to cover those holes, then we should be highly competitive," Flexman said.

He said the union fully supported both players' decisions to remain overseas.

"[Robbie] advised me in writing a couple of weeks ago that he'd thought long and hard about it but had decided to exercise the option in his contract and take up the offer from the French club.

"I think with Robbie, it's very much a case of, ‘look, we completely understand your position', and he's at a point in his career where financial considerations come to the fore probably more and more.

"But I have no doubt that we won't have seen the last of Robbie in a Tasman jersey because I know Robbie genuinely loves playing for the Makos, always has. And I think at 29, or thereabouts, I suspect some of his better years are still to come to be honest."

Goodman's unavailability was also predictable.

"Basically Leinster have exercised the right of renewal clause, which is great for him and again an opportunity that he felt he couldn't give up. So he's pretty much confirmed to us in light of that, that it's going to be difficult for him to get back here to play ITM Cup."

There are still some key areas of concern regarding halfback, tighthead prop and in Goodman's confirmed absence, a specialist No 12 capable of playing No 10 and with reliable goalkicking credentials.

"Somebody that's an 80 per cent goalkicking option as well is going to be pretty important because that stung us a little bit last year."

Flexman confirmed they're currently in discussions with last season's halfback and Samoan international Jeremy Su'a and he was "reasonably hopeful he will be back with us".

But he said that former All Blacks and Canterbury tighthead prop Campbell Johnstone was "unlikely to be available again" after having reportedly signed with a Siberian club.

Despite a "potentially good mix" of loose forwards, including Shane Christie, Vernon Fredericks, Tevita Koloamatangi, Gary Redmond, Liam Squire and Joe Wheeler, Flexman said they were still in the market for a specialist No 8.

"Liam Squire's a No 8 option but whether [coach] Kieran [Keane] sees him as 6 or 8 remains to be seen."

Squire is still rehabilitating the broken ankle that prematurely ended his 2012 season and is still several weeks away from a return to action.

Flexman hoped that this season's final squad selection would be announced in July.

"Notwithstanding the fact we will have guys coming into the squad later this year potentially, depending how Super teams go at playoff time, I know the plan is still to name the Makos side reasonably early so that we can start getting the group together at time slots that don't clash with club rugby and start to really develop a leadership group and the style and structures we want to be playing.

"I don't know exactly the date yet, I don't think it's been confirmed, but it will be some time in July before the club season finishes."

He was also satisfied with an ITM Cup draw that will see Nelson host three and Blenheim two of this year's 10 championship games.

"Certainly at times in the last couple of years we've felt that we've been on the wrong end of the draw. I actually think this year, compared to a lot of teams, we've got some good home games at reasonably favourable time slots."

There's one potentially difficult week when Tasman play Northland, Waikato and Taranaki within 10 days.

"But at least we go Thursday, Wednesday, Sunday, so we've actually got some space between those fixtures. So on the whole, I'm reasonably pleased."

Contracted players: Alex Ainley, Tevita Cavubati, Shane Christie, Hayden Cripps, Kieron Fonotia, Vernon Fredericks, Bryce Heem, Tevita Koloamatangi, James Lowe, Tom Marshall, Quentin MacDonald, Reuben Northover, Tim Perry, Gary Redmond, Mitchell Scott, Francis Smith, Liam Squire, Joe Wheeler.