ITM Cup: Steamers head to Tasman feeling able

Nathan Harris, the Steamers hooker, had a fine comeback game against North Harbour before a foot injury. Photo / File

The Bay of Plenty Steamers would never target Tasman in Nelson as a must-win game.

But there is a buzz within the camp this week that they can cause an upset against last year's beaten ITM Premiership finalists there tonight.

After the round-one win over North Harbour at ASB Baypark on Friday, Steamers assistant coach Rodney Gibbs says: "Our mindset is we are going down there with all guns blazing. We have had a good week's training.

"We are not going down there to make up numbers, that's for sure. Our home games have always been the important part for us but it is an opportunity.

"Having the win last week was the most important piece in the puzzle for us for the season. Looking at the footage, we created a lot of opportunities that we didn't take, which was really positive.

"Historically, we haven't scored a lot of tries so that was a real positive to see young guys like Chase (Tiatia) really stand up. To have threats on both sides of the field, with Tino (Nemani), was really good. Our midfield made some good inroads in metres, after Caleb (Hall) came on. We didn't get breached so, defensively, some good signs there.

"It was a positive start for the whole region of Bay Of Plenty that we did that as a team."

Tauranga Sports midfielder/first-five Nick Evemy had a fine game in the No10 jersey against Harbour and has retained the position.

Gibbs says Evemy has grabbed the opportunity to start through sheer hard work.

"Nick has been really solid through the pre-season. At the end of last season, I said to him I would look at him as a 10, not as a midfielder. It comes down to having more experience now and Nick has worked extremely hard on his defence.

"Right at this stage, he would be one of the stronger-defending 10s around. It is not all about the flashy stuff you see and he is communicating really well at driving the game.

"Dan (Hollinshead) will get his opportunities and it is great to have a little bit of pressure there with two guys that have some experience at that level now."

The Steamers suffered four injuries against Harbour, with midfielder Terrence Hepetema damaging an ankle, which could keep him out for a chunk of the season. Gibbs said Keepa Mewett and Nemani were not considered tonight after head knocks on Friday.

"Nathan Harris has a few little issues with his toe so we are not going to risk him either with a busy week next week. Dan Hollinshead is on the bench after not being available for the first game with concussion. We have a reasonable squad so there is no point in risking people who can't train through the week."

Steamers team v Tasman, Nelson, 7.35pm
1 Solomona Sakalia, 2 Joseph Royal, 3 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 4 Tim Bond, 5 Culum Retallick (c), 6 Johan Bardoul, 7 Zak Hohneck, 8 Carl Axtens (C), 9 Jono Kitto, 10 Nick Evemy, 11. Chase Tiatia, 12 Caleb Hall, 13 Lalakai Foketi, 14 Tino Nemani, 15 Craig Clare.
Reserves: 16 Sabastian Siataga*, 17 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 18 Aidan Ross*, 19 Joe Tupe, 20 Shahn Eru, 21 Te Aihe Toma, 22 Dan Hollinshead, 23 Whaimotu Craft-Chemis*.

* Debutants