Steamers survive horror injury run

Sean Horan will reveals his Bay of Plenty Steamers squad for the ITM Cup today on a high after yesterday's rematch at Taranaki.
In what Horan described as "atrocious" conditions and lacking two experienced players due to illness, the Steamers pulled one back on Taranaki, levelling their pre-season games to one win apiece with a 20-13 victory at Yarrow Stadium.
But it had all the elements of having a very different ending.
Dan Goodwin pulled up lame on Monday and the Steamers travelled to New Plymouth with 22 instead of the 23 players they had anticipated.
Then they lost Jason Hona and captain Luke Andrews to viral flu. Phil Burleigh, who replaced Hona, lasted just 20 minutes before limping off with hamstring troubles, while Dan Waenga came off after 50 minutes troubled by a hip injury.
"I'm pretty stoked really, given the conditions," an elated Horan said.
"It was pretty atrocious weather. The surface was fantastic, but we were playing into the wind in the first half then with it in the second.
"We lost a lot of experience before we started, given that situation they gutsed it out that first half."
Taranaki appeared to have the upper hand, using the wind to their advantage but the Steamers were able to put eight points on the board by half-time thanks to a try from Sikeli Vorenasu and a Dan Waenga penalty.
"We played fantastic rugby," Horan said.
"We ran decisively, there was good option taking. Given that adversity they got down to it.
"This is still a trial for us but I'm stoked their attitude was positive. Our loose forward trio were inexperienced, but they gave it their all and I'm very happy with them."
Playing his first game in the yellow and blue was former Wallabies centre Steve Kefu. Horan said it was evident he had plenty of experience the Steamers could capitalise on.
"His decision making, his communication, he sees well. He's not as quick as he used to be but he was very precise. I enjoyed watching him."
The Steamers locked in another 12 points in the second half - a brace from prop Tristan Moran and a conversion from Waenga - but let Taranaki slip through for a try in the dying minutes.
The Steamers line up will be announced today with the squad getting together on Monday.
There are two more pre-season games - against Hawke's Bay and Manawatu - before their ITM Cup campaign kicks off on Sunday, July 17 at Pukekohe against Counties Manukau.
Horan said he was confident the injuries and illness plaguing the team would be cleared by then.
Yesterday's score: Taranaki 13 Bay of Plenty 20 (Sikeli Vorenasu, Tristan Moran 2 tries, Dan Waenga pen, con). Halftime: Bay of Plenty 8-3.