Steamers prop James McGougan has ruled himself out of Super 15 selection and will instead spend the next six months rehabilitating his troublesome back.

The Chiefs and New Zealand Juniors 26-year-old only played seven games for the Steamers this year and admits his enforced break could be the final throw of the dice.

New Zealand's Super 15 coaches are finalising their squads today ahead of tomorrow's announcement. McGougan's struggled for the past two years with bulging disks in his back, missing large chunks of both provincial and Super rugby seasons.

"My plan is to rehab and get it right and target a return to the ITM Cup next year," McGougan said.

"Initially I was gutted and it's the most frustrating thing in the world having an injury like this but I had to weigh up what could happen. I'm guessing if I had another Chiefs season like my last one, my name would probably be black-listed and coaches wouldn't want to use me because they wouldn't know if I could last the campaign.

"Looking at it like that, it's the best thing for my career and I'm happy now that I've made the decision."

McGougan's last game for Bay of Plenty was against Manawatu, with the 119kg tighthead missing the last six games as his back continually flared up when he put it to work at training.

He'll continue to work closely with Chiefs medical staff and Steamers trainer Murray Pederson, while his cross-training will involve plenty of pilates - something he found invaluable this year.

"At the moment, I reckon I could do most things but it's just a matter of changing my programme, not doing so much running so the jarring in my back isn't there and just giving it a rest from taking a bashing all the time. That's going to be the main thing - just letting the inflammation settle down."

While McGougan's absence will be great news for opposition props, it's terrible for Waimana wild boar and Maketu snapper populations.

"I'll still be training over here in the Bay but apart from that, I'll be doing a fair bit of hunting and diving.

"It'll be good fun - I'll be annoying the s**t out of all the boys with boats now!"

The prop will also link again with his home club of Paroa for the Baywide club rugby season ... though don't be surprised if he doesn't go near the front row.

"I'm pretty keen to try out No 8 again or have a stint out in the centres - who knows, I may even be the flying pig out on the wing!"