Isaac Te Aute has been named in an experienced Bay of Plenty Steamers side to take on North Harbour on Saturday. Photo/ Stephen Parker.
Isaac Te Aute has been named in an experienced Bay of Plenty Steamers side to take on North Harbour on Saturday. Photo/ Stephen Parker.
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Following a feast of tries in last weekend's Mitre 10 Cup match against Auckland, the Steamers travel north to take on North Harbour in Albany on Saturday.
Steamers Coaching Management Clayton McMillan, Rodney Gibbs and David Hill have named a strong experienced side to take on North Harbour atQBE Stadium, in a must win game for the team.
Four changes have been made to the starting line up from last week's match against Auckland.
James O'Reilly will replace Liam Polwart at hooker, after Polwart was side-lined with concussion. The remainder of the forward pack will remain unchanged.
The back line remains relatively unchanged with the exception of Dan Hollinshead starting at first five eight with Kelly Haimona moving to the number 22 jersey.
Monty Ioane will return to the starting line up on the right wing with Regan Ware moving to the left wing.
Flanker Henry Stowers, halfback Luke Campbell and full back Te Rangi Fraser will return to start off the bench.
Saturday afternoon will be a prestigious occasion for Bay of Plenty Rugby, captain Culum Retallick will take the field for his 100th game in the Bay of Plenty jersey. Retallick will become Bay of Plenty's seventeenth centurion.
The team is as follows:
1. Aidan Ross 2. James O'Reilly 3. Pingi Tala'apitaga 4. Keepa Mewett 5. Culum Retallick* 6. Shahn Eru 7. Hugh Blake 8. Joe Tupe 9. Ruki Tipuna 10. Dan Hollinshead 11. Regan Ware 12. Teddy Stanaway 13. Lalakai Foketi** 14. Monty Ioane 15. Isaac Te Aute
16. Joseph Royal 17. Solomona Sakalia 18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi 19. Jesse Parete 20. Henry Stowers 21. Luke Campbell 22. Kelly Haimona 23. Te Rangi Fraser
Steamers Management:
Head Coach: Clayton McMillan Assistant Coach: Rodney Gibbs Assistant Coach: David Hill Manager: Wayne Brill Strength and Conditioning Trainer: Brad Mayo Physiotherapist: Damian Banks Assistant Physiotherapist: Corey Stunell Doctor: Turuki Tahuri Video Analyst: Mark Roberts
* Denotes 100th game for Bay of Plenty ** Denotes blazer game for Bay of Plenty (15 games)
