Steamers No 8 fired up for 50th

It's not a lot to ask for but Colin Bourke wants his 50th outing for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the NPC to be like his first.
The Mount Maunganui No8 came from the bench for his first appearance during the region's ``Day of Days' back in 2004 when the Ranfurly Shield was wrestled from Auckland 33-28.
The robust 49-game veteran will bring up his personal milestone against the same foe in Rotorua tonight in their round seven Air New Zealand Cup clash.
Bourke reckons a win over the defending champions would be just the right way to celebrate the occasion. He doesn't really keep an eye on records or believe in karma.
"It's sort of snuck up faster than I thought _ it'll be a good occasion and hopefully we'll get a win," said the No8, who is having a cracking season at the base of the Steamers scrum.
He started his playing days running around Napier dreaming of playing for Hawkes Bay but has absolutely no regrets having plied his trade with the Steamers after cutting his ties and moving north.
"I suppose it's a reward for loyalty and just being persistent and sticking at it ... it's really crept up on me. I still feel like I'm just a young fella in the team but when you see the number of games some of the other guys [in the squad] have played, it makes you sort of wonder."
Bourke's natural size and speed seem to be a perfect fit for the modern game and some observers have likened his skills to that of a young Zinzan Brooke. It's high praise indeed but there seems very little the former New Zealand sevens representative and Highlander can't do on the rugby field.
He runs and kicks like a back and hammers opponents in the physical stuff although he believes there's still more work to do.
"There's still room for improvement. I'm always looking to improve every game and try and get more involved. I suppose with the forwards going forward it's a lot easier for me to play my game. I can't complain."
Bourke comes into his own under the new rules which promote athletic and quick-thinking play.
"I don't mind them, taking the odd free kick and having a bit more runs. The five metres off the scrum is quite good _ I've enjoyed that [space]."
Rangataua's "little general" Ruki Tipuna has received the nod for the Steamers' vacant No 9 jersey worn by Jamie Nutbrown before he went overseas.
Halfback-in-waiting Josh Hall made the initial Steamers squad but has been under an injury cloud after suffering a knock during an under-20 outing last weekend. That uncertainty opened the door far enough for Tipuna to bolt through and get his first competition start since 2004.
There is one other forced change with Solomon King ruled out with a knee injury. Luke Braid comes on to the blindside flank to link with Latimer and Bourke.
They will lose little there with Braid's battle with his older brother Daniel in the loose one to savour.
Hall is on the bench, with utility Paula Asaeli dropping out of the match 22 and starting second-five Nigel Hunt becoming three-quarter cover.
Bay of Plenty are riding a high after toppling Otago seven days ago and should head into tonight's game with the favourite's tag courtesy of their five from six competition winning record.
Their Auckland opponents haven't exactly set the competition on fire this season, winning just three matches so far but Steamers coach Kevin Schuler isn't counting on past records for anything.
"We're not in a position to take any opposition for granted," he said.
"It's an Auckland team. They could be just a couple of passes away [from top form]."
Bourke agrees with Schuler and predicts "a bloody good game".
"They've been written off by everyone even up there, they've had a few losses and we're one of the top teams in the comp so they'll be targeting us. I think it's a good opportunity for our boys to knock another Super 14 franchise team off and really kick our season into gear."
Auckland won last year's encounter 41-3 at Baypark and have had some good showings in Rotorua, none better than the 1984 encounter when they flogged the home side 65-9, still a record margin and score.