Steamers: Losses add intensity to clash

Lelia Masaga hopes to substitute a a bit more structure for some of the anger tonight as Bay of Plenty take on a Taranaki side in New Plymouth stung by their loss to neighbours Manawatu.
The 24-year-old former All Blacks wing did his best version of a rampaging Manu Vatuvei in last week's 30-23 loss to Northland in Whangarei, firing up as the Bay struggled to get to grips with the Taniwha's physicality, dropping their first game of the season.
Masaga is on the right wing again tonight, the only Bay player to start in all six ITM Cup games, with coach Sean Horan rushing back first-choice players Colin Bourke, Phil Burleigh, Josh Hohneck, Toby Arnold and Tanerau Latimer for a game which had shaped as a top-of-the-table premier clash until Taranaki were upset 15-10 by Manawatu on Saturday.
Masaga was stung by Northland's execution and ability to pour on the points and belted the ball back hard whenever he got it. He expects a return to a slightly more structured plan tonight. "We've got a few guys back who are fresh, and as a team we need to front up and execute the game plan because I don't think we came prepared for the game against Northland," he said. "We needed to give team like Northland respect due to the history between sides but we didn't front physically and let them off a bit easy. There's ground to make up but a few other teams had shock losses in the weekend so we're lucky we're still top. I thought ours was a shocker but I guess Taranaki will being thinking the same so it's big for both teams."
Part of Masaga's frustration came from having an almost-certain try overlooked in the second half, with referee Mike Fraser awarding a penalty and sinbinning Northland first-five Ash Moeke for tackling Masaga early, just metres from the tryline. "There was a bit of frustration and maybe some anger there too - I was pulled back from a try I would have got easily if (Moeke) hadn't taken me early. Everyone thought it was a penalty try but if the touchie isn't there to see it it's never going to be given."
Bay of Plenty continue to the ITM Cup premiership with 20 points, followed by Canterbury (17) and Auckland (16). Taranaki dropped to fourth on 15 points but have brought back All Blacks lock Jarrad Hoeata for his first start.
Hoeata will start at blindside flanker in one of four changes from the side that lost in Palmerston North on Saturday. Taranaki coach Colin Cooper has also recalled wing Jackson Ormond, lock Jason Eaton and prop Michael Bent to the starting XV. Right wing Andre Taylor is in doubt with the 'flu.
Last Thursday's loss up north answered more questions than it posed, with several players thrown into the starting lineup clearly still works in progress. It also brought into question the Steamers' much-vaunted depth. That depth could be tested again following the departure of halfback Taniela Moa to the Tongan squad for the World Cup and the recall of Tauranga Sports' Josh Hall as Jamie Nutbrown's understudy.
"Josh has been in the Steamers during the last two seasons and has a high level of fitness after playing in the Baywide premier competition," Steamers assistant coach Paul Feeney said. "He put his hand up for selection in the preseason hit-out against the Hawkes Bay Saracens with a standout performance."
What isn't in doubt is the tryscoring duel Masaga and Arnold are having out wide, with the sharp Bay of Plenty fullback joint top of the tryscoring standings in the ITM Cup with five - almost double his haul prior to this season, and two more than Masaga. Masaga isn't unhappy with his own form but is thrilled Arnold has discovered his timing and touch. "We've always been lucky to have a few of the sevens guys around but Toby's doing everything right and has got a real good feel for the fifteens game."