Steamers set for Makos

The return of Nathan Harris and Kane Hames from training with the All Blacks has given the Bay of Plenty Steamers a major boost ahead of Sunday's first home game in this year's ITM Cup.

The round two clash with premiership side Tasman Makos kicks off at 4.35pm at ASB Baypark Stadium promises to be a high scoring clash between two teams that favour playing open, running rugby.

The Te Puke Sports pairing of halfback Jono Kitto and first-five Dan Hollinshead will start, with the big call-up for Whakarewarewa first-five Te Rangi Fraser to cover Hollinshead. Paul Morris may be out for a few weeks with a back injury so the former East Coast first-five takes his place in what Schuler says is well deserved for the talented attacking runner.

The curtain raiser is set for 2.15pm between Bay of Plenty Development and North Harbour Development teams.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Tasman Makos, ASB Baypark, Sunday August 24, 4.35pm

1 Kane Hames, 2 Joe Royal, 3 Mike Kainga, 4 Culum Retallic ©, 5 Tim Bond, 6 Jesse Acton, 7 Hamish Gosling, 8 Joe Tupe, 9 Jono Kitto, 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Leroy van Dam, 12 Doug Edwards, 13 Siaosi Iongi, 14 Tino Nemani, 15 Byron McGuigan. Reserves: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 18 Johan Bardoul, 19 Carl Axtens, 20 Te Aihe Toma, 21 Te Rangi Fraser, 22 Junior Tofa Va'a.