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Home / Bay of Plenty Times / Sport

ITM CUP Steamers: 'We need to win'

By Greg Taipari
Bay of Plenty Times·
12 Aug, 2011 10:39 PM2 mins to read

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He has Tongan heritage but played international rugby for Australia so there's a rich tapestry of colour flowing through Steve Kefu's veins.
Now the midfielder has added the blue and gold of the Bay of Plenty Steamers to the mix and is proud of it.
Kefu lines up for his fifth start
for Bay of Plenty in Rotorua today in what he calls the most important game of the season for the ITM Cup premier frontrunners.
The Steamers take on an in-form Hawke's Bay side that's second in the second-tier championship.
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is using today's game as the feature match for its centenary celebrations, with Kefu saying the milestone has been an important part of the team's buildup.
"We spoke about it [at training], we know how big this is. We need to win if we want to have a shot at the finals and stay on top. I'd say it's the most important match of the year.
Bay of Plenty won their first four games of the season but have narrowly lost their last two, to Northland and Taranaki.
The Steamers still lead the premiership with 22 points, from Waikato and Taranaki on 19.
Hawke's Bay are second in the championship on 19 points, one behind Manawatu.
Lock Culum Retallick is the injury concern after suffering a leg injury against Taranaki, with the Chiefs' player bracketed with Leon Power in the run-on team.
Kefu returns to second-five, with Jason Hona sliding out to the wing.
Tanerau Latimer will again start at blindside with Colin Bourke at No.8 and Luke Braid at openside.
Hawke's Bay coach Peter Russell has elected not to rush Israel Dagg back into the starting lineup after the All Black fullback ruptured a tendon in his right thigh during the Crusaders Super 15 season.
Kefu said despite leaving his wife and children in Australia, he was enjoying playing for the Bay.
"It's been brilliant. I've fallen in really nicely [in the Bay culture]. It suits me down to a T."
Bay of Plenty expect as many as 10,000 people to attend the game at Rotorua International Stadium, which would be the biggest crowd there for a Bay of Plenty game since the 2005 clash with the British and Irish Lions.

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