Bay of Plenty Volcanix first five Ora Williams runs the ball against Auckland earlier this season. Photo / File
A win over North Harbour will ensure the Bay of Plenty Volcanix remain on top of the Farah Palmer Cup Championship table.
It has been a great start to the competition for Bay of Plenty, having drawn 10-all with premiership side Auckland and picking up a bonus point 24-10 win over championship rival Hawke's Bay.
Constantly seeking improvement has been a theme for the Volcanix this season and coach Brendon Webby said it was important his side did not rest on their results so far.
North Harbour will be eager to notch a win tomorrow after being smashed 84-7 by top premiership side Counties Manukau in round one and sitting out with a bye in round two.
"We know they have a pretty good set piece, they're well coached and they've got a couple of Black Ferns in there," Webby said.
"Their lineout will be a big strength, I don't want to give too much away but we've got a couple of options up our sleeves - a couple of new lineout options."
His message to the team this week was about building momentum and putting in a good performance.
"We're not getting too carried away with the start that we've had. We want to continue our defence, that's quite a strength of our game at the moment so we want to continue to build on that.
"Really it's about playing the full 80 minutes, being able to apply themselves for the 80."
This game will be played at Rotorua International Stadium and Webby said playing in different parts of the Bay of Plenty was something he and the team looked forward to.
"We put in a really good performance against Auckland in Whakatane, for the public there, and the girls want to do the same for Rotorua. It's about putting in a good performance that the Rotorua locals can be proud of."
Volcanix No 8 Sequoia Te Aonui, who plays her club rugby for Waikite, was excited about the opportunity to represent the Bay of Plenty in front of her family.
"They come to all of my Waikite games, but with the Volcanix and all the travelling we do it's a bit harder. So, it's good to have a game at home and hopefully people want to come and watch a good game of women's rugby."
This is Te Aonui's first season with the Volcanix and she has started each of the first two games.
"I'm actually really loving it, I didn't think it would be this good in a team where I haven't played with a lot of the players before. But, our team is really beginning to click and we're just trying to move up and on from our good start to the season - we always want to improve."
When it came to her individual game, her focus was on running the ball with purpose, which she did week-in, week-out for Waikite.
"Trying to be strong and aggressive when I run - this is another step up so I know I have to take it to another level."
Webby has named his team for the game. Julie Lewis gets her first start at hooker as Ereti Williams moves into tight head prop due to the injury (broken leg) of Baye Jacobs.
The locking duo of Kaci James and Julia Buescher remains unchanged. The only other change to the forward pack will see Kendra Reynolds return from her New Zealand Sevens development duties to start in the number seven jersey in her blazer game for the side.
A reshuffle of the two wings will be the only change to the back line with Sapphire Tapsell moving to the left wing and Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly moving to the right wing.
Lily Florence will be looking to make an impact off the bench this week as the reserve hooker, the remainder of the bench have secured their spot following last weekend's performance against Hawke's Bay.
Bay of Plenty Volcanix:
1. Luka Connor (21) - Te Whakatōhea/Te Whanau-a-Apanui
2. Julie Lewis (5) - Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao/Ngāti Porou
3. Ereti Williams (12) - Ngai Tūhoe/Ngāti Whakaue/Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki
4. Kaci James (20) - Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao/Pirirākau - Co-Captain
5. Julia Buescher (2)
6. Christie Yule (8) - Co-Captain
7. Kendra Reynolds (14)* - Ngati Ranginui
8. Sequoia Autumn Te Aonui (2) - Ngāti Whakaue/Te Whanau-a-Apanui
9. Ora Williams(2) - Tūwharetoa/Ngāti Porou
10. Jade Tuilaepa (1)
11. Sapphire Tapsell (9) - Tainui/Te Arawa/Ngāti Porou
12. Shaye Whareaorere (7) - Waitaha
13. Aryahn Clarke (5) - Waitaha
14. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly (13) - Tūwharetoa/Te Rarawa
15. Crystal Mayes(2) - Ngai Tūhoe/Ngāti Kahungunu
Reserves:
16. Lily Florence (8) - Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wāhiao
17. Christine Corbett (1) - Ngāti Kea/Ngāti Tuara/Ngāti Whakaue
18. Makayla Daysh (3) - Rangitāne
19. Amanda Aldridge (1) - Ngāti Maniapoto
20. Sarah Kay (0) - Ngai Tahu
21. Tania-Rose Raharuhi (2) - Ngāti Pikiao/Ngāti Maniapoto
22. Zaan Scott (2) - Tūwharetoa
( ) Denotes number of games
* Denotes Blazer game
The game kicks off at 2pm, with free entry.