Swatting aside weakened Hawke's Bay and North Harbour lineups is one thing - now the Bay of Plenty Steamers pack will be asked the tough questions as the side to take on Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki in the opening round of the ITM Cup provincial premiership tomorrow was rolled out yesterday.
The absence of All Blacks flanker Sam Cane and Chiefs' loosie Tanerau Latimer's start off the reserves' bench provide the biggest talking point, with the Bay of Plenty coaches hopeful at the start of the week that Cane would be released to play some part for the Steamers this weekend.
He missed out on the All Blacks 22 to take on the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday and won't be playing at Baypark Stadium tomorrow either.
Latimer and right wing Lelia Masaga arrived back from an enforced sabbatical this week following the Super rugby playoffs, with Masaga starting ahead of the unlucky Lance MacDonald but Latimer being reintegrated off the bench, with Warren Lippi-Smith getting the nod at blindside and former New Zealand schoolboys rep Carl Axtens holding off the challenge of Rotoiti's Jesse Action to claim the No 8 spot.
The backline is predictable and potent, although much of that potency will be dependent on whether their forwards can stand up to the challenge of a hardened Naki pack and deliver enough quality ball to threaten the gain line and give the Steamers their first win over Taranaki in six seasons.