Steamers end pre-season with win

Steamers prop Pingi Tala'apitaga crashes into the Manawatu defence at Tauranga Domain yesterday. Photo / John Borren

Bay of Plenty Steamers completed their pre-season build-up with an 18-0 victory over Manawatu Turbos at Tauranga Domain yesterday afternoon.

To be fair to the visitors, the Steamers fielded two separate teams, given half a game each, so they dominated the second spell with fresh players.

But the most impressive feature of the game was the first half defence by the Steamers, when Manawatu threw everything at them.

Manawatu dominated field position, the lopsided penalty count and had all the territory, but were unable to penetrate a staunch blue-and-gold defensive line led by the loose forward trio of Carl Axtens, Zac Hohneck and Joe Tupe.

The Steamers' tries were all scored from driving mauls, by hooker Sabastian Siataga, prop Aidan Ross and flanker Johan Bardoul, in an impressive outing by the forwards. All Blacks hooker Nathan Harris played 24 minutes of the second half, in his first outing since a serious ankle injury nine months ago.

Terrence Hepetema, Lalakai Foketi and Chase Tiatia, three of the new players to this year's Steamers squad, impressed in the second spell in a clear indicator of the improvement in backline depth this year.

Steamers assistant coach Dave Dillon said the effort was there in the defensive performance but there was still plenty to work on before North Harbour.

"Last week against Auckland there was a lot of stuff we hadn't covered so what I am pleased with today is the things we had covered at camp (this week) at Whangamata," he said. "We are starting to see some of that work come off."

Dillon was not surprised to see the tries come from driving mauls.

"We have a profile there and have some guys who are pretty good in that area. We are happy with that as it shows good connections and some patience."

Co-captain Culum Retallick was not getting carried away with the win, after what happened last year following a successful pre-season.

"We won the three pre-season games last year and we thought we were looking good, but we didn't go so well," Retallick said.

"Most of the things are looking alright but we have to make sure we do it next week. We need to work on our individual jobs. That is all you need to do in our team. Know what your role is and do your job."

Bay of Plenty open their ITM Cup campaign against North Harbour at ASB Baypark next Friday, with kickoff at the later time of 8.05pm.

Bay of Plenty Steamers 18 (Sabastian Siataga, Aidan Ross, Johan Bardoul tries; Dan Hollinshead pen)

Manawatu Turbos 0.