The elevation of former Tauranga Boys' College pivot Dan Hollinshead to first choice Steamers first five-eighth is the main talking point ahead of tonight's opening ITM Cup match against Southland.
Tauranga Sports' Paul Morris had been presumed by many to be first choice to wear the No10 shirt, but Steamers coaches Kevin Schuler and Rodney Gibbs have instead put their faith in the 19-year-old Te Puke Pirate.
Hollinshead was ranked among the finest playmakers in secondary school rugby last year and has since completed a full Chiefs Development campaign and an impressive Baywide club rugby season with Te Puke.
Schuler, speaking from the Invercargill airport ahead of the team's captain's run in wet and windy conditions last night, is backing the young man to deliver against a tough opposition away from home.
"He's got a good eye for the gap and has shown the ability to lift his game to the next level, we are excited to see what Dan can do in the ITM Cup," Schuler said. "We don't have a first team at the moment. It's very important with the nature of this competition that everyone gets a chance to show what they can do."