Rugby: Steamers to only play one game in Rotorua

130914sp21 Steamers' Tino Nemani. Bay of Plenty Steamers versus Auckland at Rotoua's International Stadium. 13 September 2014 Daily Post photograph by Stephen Parker

Rotorua will only host one Bay of Plenty Steamers match this year in the ITM Cup while Tauranga will host four games.

Last year Rotorua were given two home matches in the ITM Cup, but this year the Tauranga Domain has been handed a home match, seemingly at the expense of the Rotorua International Stadium.

Bay of Plenty will open their 2015 ITM Cup campaign at home against North Harbour on Friday August 14 at 8.05pm at Tauranga's ASB Baypark Stadium.

Week three will prove to be a big week for Bay of Plenty, hosting their midweek fixture against Southland on Wednesday August 26, at Tauranga's ASB Baypark.

Then the feature match of the Steamers ITM Cup Campaign will see the Steamers host Waikato at the Tauranga Domain on Sunday August 30.

Playing the fixture at the Tauranga Domain has been supported by Sky TV and New Zealand Rugby Management but is still contingent on final New Zealand Rugby Board approval on May 28.

Following a game away to Counties Manukau, week five will see Rotorua host the Steamers as they take on ITM Cup Premiership winners Taranaki on Saturday September 12 at Rotorua International Stadium.

This afternoon game will be perfect for families and will hold special interest as Steamers coach and Rotorua legend Clayton McMillan returns to Rotorua for the first time as Bay coach, after playing 113 games for the Bay.

McMillan comments: "This game will no doubt be a highlight for me and I know the Rotorua community will come out in force to support the boys take on the current Premiership champions."

The final scheduled home game for 2015 will be held on Sunday October 4 at Tauranga's ASB Baypark, where Bay of Plenty will host Wellington.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers will play three pre-season games leading up to their ITM Cup campaign across the wider Bay of Plenty.

The first pre-season match will be held at Moore Park, Katikati on Wednesday 24th June, where the Steamers will play Counties Manukau under their respective banners Wasps and Cavaliers. The Steamers will also take on Auckland on Friday 31st July at Whakatane's Rugby Park and Manawatu at the Tauranga Domain on Thursday 6th August.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union CEO, Mike Rogers comments on the decision behind the selection of this year's venues: "It is important for us as a union to ensure we were living our strategic plan. We want to be a unified union and we are committed to achieving this. One way of supporting this is connecting to all areas in the Bay and ensuring all communities have access to top-level rugby. When you add in the Bayleys National Sevens and Chiefs versus Bulls fixture both held in Rotorua this year we feel like we are providing all of the Bay an opportunity to access top level rugby."

He further comments: "The ITM Cup is a fantastic opportunity for our communities to get behind and support the Steamers by attending games. We have already started working with our three sub-unions to support these fixtures and make them events that the whole Bay community is proud of."

Rogers further highlights the importance of hosting Waikato at the Tauranga Domain: "This will be a unique experience for supporters. The CBD will be in the thick of it, with the buzz and atmosphere generated from this match. I believe that this is one of those games that people will be talking about for years to come. It is only appropriate to host Waikato, our traditional rivals at a venue that holds great history and tradition for rugby in the Bay of Plenty."

The top four teams, in each of the Premiership and Championship, at the end of week nine will proceed to semifinals on October 16 and 17. The winners of those then head to the finals the following weekend to determine the ITM Cup Premiership winner, and the team who will be promoted from the Championship.

Home games for 2015: North Harbour, Southland, Waikato, Taranaki, and Wellington.

Away games for 2015: Tasman, Counties Manukau, Hawke's Bay, Northland and Otago.

Bay of Plenty's Pre-Season Draw:

Steamers Trial: Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua - Wednesday 17th June, 6.00pm

Wasps vs Cavaliers: Moore Park, Katikati - Wednesday 24th June, 3.00pm

Steamers vs. Auckland: Rugby Park, Whakatane - Friday 31st July, 2.00pm

Steamers vs. Manawatu: Tauranga Domain, Tauranga - Thursday 6th August, 2.00pm

Bay of Plenty's draw for the 2015 ITM Cup:

Week 1: vs North Harbour at ASB Baypark - Friday 14 August, 8.05pm

Week 2: vs Tasman at Trafalgar Park (away) - Friday 21 August, 7.35pm

Week 3: vs Southland at ASB Baypark - Wednesday 26 August, 7.35pm

Week 3: vs Waikato at Tauranga Domain - Sunday 30 August, 2.35pm

Week 4: vs Counties Manukau at ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe - Sunday 6 September, 4.35pm

Week 5: vs Taranaki at Rotorua International Stadium - Saturday 12 September, 5.35pm

Week 6: vs Hawkes Bay (Ranfurly Shield) at McLean Park, Napier - Saturday 19 September, 2.35pm

Week 7: vs Northland at Toll Stadium, Whangarei - Friday 25 September, 7.35pm

Week 8: vs Wellington at ASB Baypark - Sunday 4 October, 4.35pm

Week 9: vs Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin - Sunday 11 October, 7.35pm

Semi-finals: Friday 16 October - Saturday 17 October (Any Semi-final hosted by Bay of Plenty will be held at Rotorua International Stadium)

Finals: Friday 23 October and Saturday 24 October