KEY POINTS:
Tasman will welcome the presence of Chris Jack for an Air New Zealand Cup rugby match against Manawatu in Blenheim on Friday night.
The All Blacks lock missed the 19-29 loss to Taranaki in the opening round last week but was included in the starting 15 named today by coach Dennis Brown to play Manawatu.
Jack will offer Tasman a physical presence in the forwards that they sorely lacked against Taranaki.
Another international, winger Rico Gear, is again missing from the Tasman lineup despite Tasman director of rugby Todd Blackadder engaging the player's agent in negotiations on Monday.
Gear, who missed selection in the All Blacks' World Cup squad, is still contracted to Tasman although his family lives in Christchurch and he has previously said he wanted to play for Canterbury.
Former All Blacks and Crusaders wing Caleb Ralph is another frontline name still missing from the team, with Blackadder saying there was always an understanding Ralph would be given a break.
TASMAN
Robbie Malneek, Blair Cook, Andrew Goodman, Joel Iggo, Afeleke Pelenise, Tim Taylor, Lualua Vailoaloa, Peter Nixon, Zane Winslade, Alex Ainley (captain), Chris Jack, Chris Bentley, Ben Franks, Mark Stewart, Ben May.
Reserves: Steve Fualau, Tristan Moran, Mark Bright, Kahu Marfell, Tim Lempriere, James Foote, Saul Luamanuvae.
- NZPA
