Toma and Hollinshead are recent graduates from the Tauranga Boys' College 1st XV production line.
"That means something for us coming from the same background and there is definitely a connection there," Toma said.
"I was just very pleased to get the opportunity to start at nine for the first time this year."
He also stepped in to cover the injury crisis at first-five, with Paul Morris and Te Rangi Fraser out for the season, and Hollinshead sidelined for three games with a leg injury.
Toma prefers halfback, but is comfortable running the team from 10.
"I played there for Chiefs under-18 and in club rugby so I know how to play it. It is good to have that back-up to my game."
Despite criticism levelled at the Steamers, Toma says it has been a happier team environment than last year.
"The turnout this year is a lot better than last year - that's what I can say. Just a better culture as a team playing together. We can only look forward to the following years as a young squad," he said.
"The boys do feel the criticism, especially that BoP Mafia stuff that goes around. But we just shut them out and play our game. Words will never break me."
Toma will start from the bench against Waikato in tonight's big clash at Waikato Stadium, with number one halfback Jono Kitto over his illness.
"It would mean a lot to knock them over," Toma said. "We have Yogi (Johan Bardoul) who used to play for them, and if we can win and get a bonus point we will come close to making semis.
"Personally, just winning in the blue-and-yellow jersey means a lot, it doesn't matter who it is. I just know I will play my heart out for the jersey."
Once the ITM Cup is over, Toma will get straight into training for sevens, where he hopes to make the Bay of Plenty team for the nationals and again be picked by Sir Gordon Tietjens for the All Blacks Sevens training camps.
