Nineteen-year-old Trask makes Steamers starting debut

Nineteen year old Kaleb Trask makes his starting debut for the Steamers tomorrow. Photo / File

Nineteen-year-old Kaleb Trask has been given his starting debut at fullback in the Bay of Plenty Steamers side to face Canterbury in Tauranga tomorrow.

Although having made his name as the New Zealand Under 20 first five-eighths, the former Rotorua Boys' High School star is equally adept in the number 15 jersey.

He continues a family tradition — his grandfather Bruce Trask played nearly 50 games in the same position for Bay of Plenty between 1969 and 1974.

It'll be a much changed Steamers starting 15 for the match against Mitre 10 Cup champions Canterbury at Tauranga Domain tomorrow afternoon.

Coach Clayton McMillan has brought in five forwards and two backs who didn't run on at Pukekohe last week.

The most intriguing name is hooker Tom Crozier, originally from England, but who's been part of the Canterbury wider training squad this season after playing on loan for Manawatu last year.

"He's just come up here this week" McMillan says. "He's a good set piece exponent, he's fitted in really well with us, and I hope for his sake, and for ours, that he goes well against a team he was regarded as surplus to requirements for."

Crozier gets his chance because of the attrition through injury the Steamers have suffered at hooker.

Liam Polwart is not quite ready to play again and Seb Siataga is likely out for the season with his broken arm suffered playing for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes.

The Steamers game will be part of a double-header — Bay of Plenty Volcanix play Canterbury at the domain at 11.30am.

Steamers squad v Canterbury Tauranga Domain, Saturday 2.35pm.
Solomona Sakalia, Tom Crozier, Ross Geldenhuys, Tyler Ardon, Baden Wardlaw, Tanerau Latimer, Mitch Karpik, Hoani Matenga, Richard Judd, Mike Delany, Chase Tiatia, Terrence Hepetema, Trael Joass, Fa'asiu Fuatai, Kaleb Trask.

Reserves: (Forwards) Gus MacDonald, James Lay, Jeff Thwaites, Aaron Carroll, AJ Mua. (Backs) Luke Campbell, Liam Steel, Bailey Simonsson.

Volcanix squad vs Canterbury, Tauranga Domain, Saturday 11.30am
Baye Jacob, Lily Florence, Ereti Williams, Mikyla Wardlaw, Calli Perrott, Christie Yule © Kendra Reynolds, Kate Henwood, Jade Tuilaepa, Ora Williams, Emily Magee*, Renee Holmes*, Tania Raharuhi, Mystery McLean Kora, Sapphire Tapsell, Braxton Walker/ Rawinia Luka*, Amanda Aldridge, Tynealle Fitzgerald*, Les Elder, Bree Meyer*, Kororia Heyblom, Polly Playle/Olivia Richardson*

* Debutants