By CRAIG TIRIANA
There'll be no excuses for a rudderless display by Bay of Plenty against Manawatu tomorrow - the Steamers will start with both prospective backline generals on the field.
Incumbent first-five Murray Williams will play in the No 10 jersey while Mike Delany will be alongside in the No 12, making his first representative outing of the season.
Only players who took a full part in this week's training camp were considered for the Steamers' starting side.
Head coach Kevin Schuler said injuries had given them a chance to have Williams and Delany side by side in the run-on team.
"We're really keen to see how they go - we'll have two playmakers running the cutter," Schuler said. "There might be a chance we'd have them both on during the Air New Zealand Cup season."
It's also a good chance for Delany to get some valuable game time after missing most of the club season with injury.
The 25-year-old prefers to play first-five but has played at fullback. This is a chance to further confirm his versatility and give the Steamers other selection options.
He had 40 minutes for Mount Maunganui last weekend and has been fully involved in the Steamers training camp this week.
First-choice midfielders Wayne Hughson (groin) and Rena Schuster (bruising) weren't considered for the starting line-up.
Another returning from injury is potential left-winger Jason Hona, who is being given the opportunity to show his wares after missing the Thames Valley and Wasps fixtures with a hamstring strain.
The New Zealand Sevens representative has played most of his rugby as a loose forward but has good speed to go with his size.
So too does Pauli Asaeli who was a latecomer to the squad after impressing with his form for Baywide leaders Whakarewarewa. He'll start on the other wing with Lance MacDonald at fullback.
Former Manu Samoa international Garrick Cowley starts at halfback with Jamie Nutbrown (bicep) yet to start contact training. Charles Hubbard will start the match on the bench.
Te Puke's Matt Wallis has a chance to impress in the front row, alongside Simms Davison and Ngarimu Simpkins, with captain Ben Castle still injured with sore ribs.
Flanker Tanerau Latimer will lead the side and Solomon King has kept the No 8 starting spot after eye-catching displays against both Thames Valley and Wasps. Colin Bourke will start from the bench, while while Aidan Kuka is on the blindside.
Schuler said while they were still settling on combinations this was the first time they had come together as Steamers and there were certain expectations.
"We're not going out there to lose - winning is a focus. We've had a good and beneficial time this week and we're looking to see gains. Certainly momentum is important for us - we want to make sure we hit the Air New Zealand Cup running."
The game isn't a first-class fixture, with both teams naming nine players on their bench for the Rugby Park, Whakatane clash.
BOP v Manawatu, Tomorrow, 3pm, Whakatane.
Bay of Plenty: Lance MacDonald, Pauli Asaeli, Cory Aporo, Mike Delany, Jason Hona, Murray Williams, Garrick Cowley, Solomon King, Tanerau Latimer, Aidan Kuka, Aaron Rameka, Culum Rettalick, Matt Wallis, Ngarimu Simpkins, Simms Davison. Reserves: Mike Ormsby, Warren Smith, Colin Bourke, Chris Elvin, Charles Hubbard, Rena Schuster, Charles Baxter/Anthony Tahana, Teu Nafe.
Manawatu: Matty James, Aaron James, Johnny Leota, Frankie Bryant, Yohei Shinomiya, Graham Smith, Joggie Viljoen, Dan Alofa, Josh Bradnock, Bertus Mulder, Hayden Triggs, Lisiate Fa'aoso, Talau Hala, Rob Foreman, Grant Polson. Reserves: Johnathan Phipps, Mike Rowe, James Goode, Ray Allen, Aaron Good, Aaron Cruden, Thomas Trollope, Hamish Gosling, Kurt Baker.
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