Rugby: Revenge talk is so 'last year'

NEW SEASON: Nathan Harris (with ball) and the rest of the Steamers will get their season under way tonight. PHOTO/ANDREW WARNER

Word out of the North Harbour camp is that payback is on the minds of the visitors at tonight's ITM Cup game at ASB Baypark.

But Steamers co-captain Culum Retallick isn't buying into it.

North Harbour were one of only two teams rolled by the Steamers in a disappointing 2014 season and Harbour haven't won a game against the Bay since 2009.

"Last year's last year," Retallick said. "We've got a new group, a new coach, we're just making sure we get our stuff right this year - if they want to have that mindset, then good on them.

"We just know that if this group's going to go forward this year, it's crucial we have a good start. We've had the wood on Harbour in the last few years, but it probably doesn't mean much at the start of the season."

Retallick is co-captaining the team with Carl Axtens and they will oversee the first selection of coach Clayton McMillan that includes nine Bay debutants.

Retallick said that didn't add to the pressure of responsibility of being skipper. "It's more just for me and Carl to make sure these players stay relaxed, to feel like it's just another game for them, and not to go into their shells, but just go out there and play footy and make sure we execute our game plan."

Among those pulling on a Steamers jersey for the first time in anger are Terrence Hepetema at 12 and Lalakai Foketi at 13 who could well form a potent midfield pairing.

"They've played at a high level in France in the Top 14 and the UK.

"They know what it's about."

As well as the nine debutants - Hepetema, Foketi, Chase Taitia, Shahn Eru and Pap Wharewera in the starting line-up and Jeff Thwaites, Troy Callander, Caleb Hall and Craig Clare off the bench - the game will be the blazer match (15 games) for Te Aihe Toma.

The Steamers beat Manawatu 18-0, but lost to Auckland in their two preseason games.

-Tonight's game will kick off at 8.05pm. Bay of Plenty Development will take on Counties Manukau Development in the curtain raiser kicking off at 5.30pm.