When Marcel Cummings-Toone stepped out of the representative rugby wilderness recently he looked like the man time forgot.
Along with the Bay of Plenty Steamers No 2 hooker's jersey, Cummings-Toone was wearing a full beard which wasn't a feature when he last played in 2007.
The 24-year-old hadn't played in the union's
flagship side since the round three Air New Zealand Cup game against Northland last August.
"It's not a Jason Eaton," the Tauranga Sports club man joked, comparing his woolly facial mane to that of the former All Black lock who didn't shave during a lengthy injury break from the game.
Apparently it's as simple as sibling rivalry.
Cummings-Toone's younger brother has sprouted a beard so the older sibling _ who has just become a first time dad _ had to try and show him up.
The former Canterbury and New Zealand age-group representative's return to the Steamers fold couldn't have come at a better time.
Incumbent hooker John Pareanga has a calf strain, which rules the 2008 Chiefs player out of tonight's final pre-Air New Zealand Cup clash against Waikato.
With the Steamers opening match against Tasman in a week, tonight is the last chance to get any combinations settled. Also unavailable are Arden David-Perrott (ribs, 1-2 weeks), Luke Braid (knee, precautionary), Tanerau Latimer (hamstring, precautionary), Cory Aporo (hamstring, 1-2 weeks) and Teu Nafe (Tongan Sevens).
Steamers head coach Kevin Schuler said there had been several injuries last Friday that would test the squad's depth tonight.
Called in as cover are Tauranga Sports' Ray Brown (front row) and Bruce Olsen (loose forward), while Ngongotaha's John Moore will reunite with Cullum Retallick at lock.
In positional changes to the pack, Solomon King goes from the blindside to the openside flank, Aiden Kuka from lock to blindside and James McGougan moves from the bench to starting in the front row alongside Cummings-Toone and Joe Savage.
The starting backline is unchanged with Toby Arnold taking Nafe's place on the bench.
Bay of Plenty and Waikato won't clash in the round-robin of the Air New Zealand Cup so unless the two unions reach the quarterfinals or better, tonight's game at Waikato Stadium will be it.
