Christie out for season, Tasman says

HIGHLANDERS flanker and former cocaptain Shane Christie will not play for

Tasman this year, as his 2017 season fails to get off the ground.

Christie, who turns 32 next week, did not play one minute for the franchise this year as he dealt with concussionlike symptoms.

He made occasional appearances at training last season but was never considered fit enough for the match day squad.

The Highlanders announced in late May that Christie was ruled out for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

In the May statement the Highlanders said Christie’s specific condition was not currently diagnosed, but he had been experiencing concussionlike symptoms.

There was hope he would be able to play for Tasman in the Mitre 10 Cup this season but it was confirmed yesterday he would not be sighted for Tasman this year.

Tasman chief executive Tony Lewis said yesterday that

Christie had been withdrawn from the Tasman squad. He had not received clearance from the Highlanders to play again, he said.

Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark could not be contacted yesterday.

Hopes to get new Highlanders signing Tyrel Lomax into the side next year appear to be declining.

Lomax had played for Australian representative age grade teams and was signed with the Rebels until the end of the 2018 season.

But he had thrown his lot in with New Zealand and been signed by Tasman and the Highlanders for the 2019 season. He was in Nelson at present, training with Tasman.

Lewis said yesterday Australian Rugby Union was refusing to grant Lomax a release.

Lomax told media earlier this week he hoped to get a release but it appears he will have to put his feet up for the rest of the season.