Steamers ITM Cup squad named

Te Puke Sports and former Hawke's Bay winger Brynn Uriarau is one of 15 new players named in the Bay of Plenty ITM Cup squad. Photo/File

Steamers coaches Clayton McMillan and Rodney Gibbs have named their 2015 ITM Cup squad.

Following a full round of Bayfair Baywave Premier club games, a trial match played in Rotorua and the Wasps v Cavaliers match in Katikati, the coaches have selected 15 uncapped Bay of Plenty players and 20 returning players.

Blues lock Culum Retallick and Tauranga Sports No 8 Carl Axtens have been named as co-captains of this year's Steamers team.

We know this is an extremely competitive competition and believe the players we have picked are good men, hard working and motivated to perform.

Coach McMillan

The squad is a mixture of established Steamers, some seasoned campaigners and young talent coming through the Bay of Plenty Rugby system. The imported players look particularly strong and have impressed since joining Western Bay clubs.

Coach McMillan is pleased with the squad selected.

"We know this is an extremely competitive competition and believe the players we have picked are good men, hard working and motivated to perform," he said.

"It is important this team represents our region. This is reflected in players from numerous clubs being represented in the final squad. The process has been helped with the assistance of selectors who have a wealth of playing and coaching experience in the Bay of Plenty rugby jersey.

"We are looking forward to earning the respect of our supporters and stakeholders by playing with passion and a brand of rugby synonymous with the Bay of Plenty."

Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO, Mike Rogers, says it is a big year for the Steamers.

"We are already feeling the support from the community which is great and we hope that continues throughout the season. I know Clayton, Gibby and the players have been working very hard and they will do everything they can to represent our region with pride during the ITM Cup."

Steamers 2015 ITM Cup Squad:
*New Steamers

Hookers
Nathan Harris (Te Puke Sports); Joe Royal (Rotoiti); Seb Siataga (Canterbury)*
Props
Solomona Sakalia (Mount Maunganui); Aidan Ross (Te Puke Sports)*; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (Rotoiti); Pingi Tala'apitaga (Tauranga Sports); Mike Kainga (Mount Maunganui); Jeff Thwaites (Tauranga Sports)*
Locks
Tim Bond (Te Puke Sports); Troy Callander (Greerton Marist)*; Keepa Mewett (Tauranga Sports); Culum Retallick (Tauranga Sports), Brodie Retallick (Tauranga Sports)
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane (Tauranga Sports); Johan Bardoul (Mount Maunganui); Shahn Eru (Te Puna)*; Zak Hohneck (Rotoiti); Carl Axtens (Tauranga Sports); Joe Tupe (Greerton Marist)
Halfbacks
Jono Kitto (Te Puke Sports); Te Aihe Toma (Te Puna); Papa Wharewera (Rotoiti)*
First five-eighths
Dan Hollinshead (Te Puke Sports); Nick Evemy (Tauranga Sports), Te Rangi Fraser (Whakarewarewa)
Midfield backs
Terrence Hepetema (Te Puna)*; Caleb Hall (Greerton Marist)*; Lalakai Foketi (Rangataua)*
Outside backs
Chase Tiatia (Rangataua)*; Leroy van Dam (Greerton Marist); Tino Nemani (Greerton Marist); Brynn Uriarau (Te Puke Sports)*; Craig Clare (Paroa)*; Whaimotu Craft-Chemis (Whakarewarewa)*
One player is still to be added to the squad.

Steamers Pre-Season Games
v Auckland, Rugby Park, Whakatane
Friday July 31, 2pm
v Manawatu, Tauranga Domain,
August 6, 2pm

ITM Cup Round 1
Bay of Plenty v North Harbour
Baypark Stadium, Friday August 14