Rugby: Steamers powered up for opener

Waiting in the wing: New Steamer Caleb Hall will be on the bench when Bay of Plenty ply their first game of the 2015 ITM Cup season tonight at ASB Baypark Stadium

Word out of the North Harbour camp is that payback is on the minds of the visitors at tonight's ITM Cup game at ASB Baypark. But Steamers co-captain Culum Retallick isn't buying into it.

North Harbour were one of only two teams rolled by the Steamers in a disappointing 2014 season, and Harbour haven't won a game against the Bay since 2009.

"Last year is last year," said Retallick. "We've got a new group, a new coach, we're just making sure we get our stuff right this year - if they want to have that mindset, then good on them.

"We just know that if this group's going to go forward this year, it's crucial we have a good start. We've had the wood on Harbour in the last few years, but it probably doesn't mean much at the start of the season."

Retallick is co-captaining the team with Carl Axtens and the pair will oversee coach Clayton McMillan's first selection that includes nine Bay debutantes.

Among those pulling on a Steamers jersey for the first time are debutantes Terrence Hepetema at 12 and Lalakai Foketi at 13, who could well form a potent midfield pairing.

"They've played at a high level in France in the Top 14 and the UK. They know what it's about."

The potential of the side isn't lost on Retallick and the players' hunger to show what they have augurs well for the season.

"I think in this group there are a lot of players who are close to the next level and they are going to be wanting to make a point."

While Hepetema has played for Leicester Tigers and NSW Warratahs, he will be playing his first professional game of rugby on New Zealand soil.

"I left New Zealand when I was 19 to go to Australia and I'm 23 now so its been a long time. My parents are coming up [from Wellington] so it's going to be a pretty special occasion because they haven't seen me play professional rugby."

As well as the nine debutantes - Hepetema, Foketi, Chase Taitia, Shahn Eru and Pap Wharewera in the starting line-up and Jeff Thwaites, Troy Callander, Caleb Hall and Craig Clare off the bench - the game will be the blazer match (15 games) for Te Aihe Toma.

The Steamers beat Manawatu 18-0 but lost to Auckland in their two pre-season games.

Tonight's game kicks off at 8.05pm. Bay of Plenty Development will take on Counties Manukau Development in the curtain-raiser match kicking off at 5.30pm.