Rugby: Steamers' Chase Tiatia chasing win against Taranaki

Bay of Plenty fullback Chase Tiatia in action last week against Manawatu. Photo/Getty Images

The number of championship medals and titles won by an athlete indicates how successful they are.

But how they react to adversity, particularly potentially career-ending injuries, is the best way to judge an athlete's character.

Having to do months of painful rehab on your own away from teammates is about as tough as it gets.

Bay of Plenty Steamers fullback Chase Tiatia knows all about that.

Last season the 21-year-old broke his leg twice to shatter not just his bones, but his hopes after bursting on to the national rugby scene with the Steamers in 2015.

It led to a Chiefs contract and things were looking up for the former Wellington Under-19 rep who followed his coach Clayton McMillan to a new life in the Bay.

It took a while to get over the injuries last year but slowly the effervescent character got back into the groove with the Chiefs Development team and his club Rangataua Sports in the Baywide competition.

Now, after starting all four games in the Mitre 10 Cup season, Tiatia is back to full fitness and a key part of what is emerging into one of the better teams fielded by the Steamers in recent seasons.

"I am just glad to back playing footy. Playing 80 minutes every game has been good to me and I am really enjoying my footy now," Tiatia said.

"I am actually training to play instead of rehab and stuff like that. It is really good. We have a good side this year and things are looking really bright for our season and our chances of getting promoted."

Tiatia made a memorable debut for the Steamers against North Harbour in 2015, scoring two tries.

But the promotion hopes never came to anything. Things look brighter in 2017, he says.

"We have come a long way since then. We have a lot more depth rather than just relying on the same 15 or 23 guys. We actually have a good squad this year and that will be really important going into our short turnaround.

"We need to start by getting on top of Taranaki [tonight]."

He says sticking to a simple game plan is the key to winning the tough games, like the last-up win over Manawatu played in difficult conditions.

"We just need to stick to our game plan. Play territory, play in the right end of the field so we can actually score some points. I hope against the Naki we can execute that.

"Games like Manawatu happen. It is just good that the Bay are starting to finish on top of those games instead of falling short like we normally do."

The Steamers have made eight changes to the starting 15 for tonight's match.

To win, the Steamers will have to turn around a poor record against Taranaki with their last victory over the amber and blacks 11 years ago at Mount Maunganui.

The game is the first of three in quick succession for the Steamers during what the teams call the storm period. They play Southland in Rotorua next Wednesday then Counties Manukau at Tauranga Domain the following Sunday.

Bay of Plenty team v Taranaki

1. Aidan Ross (17), 2. Sabastian Siataga (10), 3. Jeff Thwaites (13), 4. Troy Callander (15), 5. Culum Retallick (106, capt), 6. Jesse Parete (12), 7. Henry Stowers (13), 8. Tyler Ardron (3), 9. Luke Campbell (8), 10. Kelly Haimona (26), 11. Chase Tiatia (18), 12. Lalakai Foketi (22), 13. Liam Steel (3), 14. Monty Ioane (15), 15. Isaac Te Aute (13)
Reserves: 16. James O'Reilly (12), 17. Jordan Lay (2), 18. James Lay (2), 19. Tom Franklin (3), 20. Mitchell Karpik (3), 21. Mike Delany (64), 22. Terrence Hepetema (11), 23. Elijah Nicholas (9)
( ) BOP games played

Bay of Plenty v Taranaki
Friday, 7.45pm, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Played 42, 1925-2016
Taranaki wins 26, Bay of Plenty wins 16
Last match: Taranaki 30 Bay of Plenty 22, August 2016, Tauranga
Last Bay of Plenty win: Bay of Plenty 20 Taranaki 16, September 9, 2006, Mt Maunganui
Biggest Bay of Plenty score: 51, July 1987, New Plymouth