The Steamers may be reeling after three losses in four games but they are well and truly fired up for a visit from the impressive Auckland boys tomorrow night in Rotorua.
Luke Braid, who captained many of the Auckland players at the Blues this year, says knocking over the bigcity boys is a feeling many of the Bay players have yet to enjoy.
"There is a core of us in this team that has never beaten Auckland and that is our number one goal," Braid said. "No doubt about that. Guys that are in the leadership group like Culum Retallick, Tristan [Moran], Phil Burleigh and me have ticked off all the other big guns but not them. There is no shortage of motivation for us to get up over Auckland."
Bay Steamers coach Kevin Schuler will have to sweat on the fitness of two more of his squad after the disappointing loss to Waikato on Tuesday night.
But Steamers fans can expect a more positive approach no matter who plays.
"There are a few sore boys after Waikato," Schuler said.
"Lelia 'Flash' [Masaga] came off with a bit of a sore knee and Carl [Axtens] hurt a medial ligament. It is part and parcel of this comp now isn't it, with these short turnarounds, but nothing looked too serious.
"Defence is important but we have to keep playing and trying to attack to score points as well.
"They can't beat you if they can't score, but you can only beat them if you score yourself, so we have to keep a real attacking mindset.
"The key things are to get our bodies and our minds fresh so we have to get back up for the [Auckland] game. It is as much about us getting ourselves ready to get back on the paddock."
Kickoff at the Rotorua International Stadium is at 7.35pm.
