Double blow for Tasman Mako

A new era awaits the Tasman Mako, after confirmation coaches Andrew Goodman and Shane Christie won’t return for the 2022 season.

The Mako, who fell agonisingly short of a three-peat last year, yesterday announced the pair were moving on.

‘‘Their leadership and guidance of our young men has seen the Mako realise our potential and become a true force in NPC rugby in NZ,’’ Tasman chief executive Lyndon Bray said.

A foundation player with 55 caps to his name, Goodman worked as an assistant coach for three seasons from 2016, before co-coaching the team with now Highlanders assistant Clarke Dermody in 2019 and 2020, after Leon MacDonald departed for the Blues.

The Crusaders assistant coach took over as head coach last year, after Dermody didn’t return, guiding the Mako to yet another final.

Christie, who played 73 games and captained the side between 2013 and 2016, has been an assistant coach the past four seasons.

He joined the Highlanders as defence coach ahead of the 2021 season, and will again work with Tony Brown, Dermody and Riki Flutey in Dunedin during this year’s Super Rugby competition.

With Dermody, Goodman and Christie all gone, it marks a new era for the side which has dominated provincial rugby in recent times.