Steamers set for stern test

KEY PLAYER: Steamers No 8 Joe Tupe is tackled by Otago's Paul Grant at Forsyth Barr Stadium last Sunday. PHOTO/FILE

The Hawke's Bay Magpies will offer a stern test as the Steamers look to get their ITM Cup season under way with a home win at Baypark Stadium from 2.35pm Sunday.

The Magpies hold the bragging rights to being called "the Bay" after winning the last two games between the unions and started their campaign in some style when they thumped Manawatu 45-18 last Saturday.

Steamers coach Kevin Schuler says his team has prepared well for Hawke's Bay after the disappointment of last Sunday's 32-29 loss to Otago.

They have worked on some key areas.

"One is to keep an attacking mindset right through the game but the issue when we came under a bit of pressure was our kicking game," Schuler said.

"We need to get more protection for our kickers so we can kick the way we want to, whether that is tactical or territorial.

"We were happy with our scrum that was pretty dominant and that is an important area to make a mark on the game as the forward battle will be pretty important against [Hawke's Bay].

"The other thing was the breakdown where we gave away a couple of penalties as it became a kicking dual. We need to make sure we have good, strong discipline at the breakdown right through the game."

Hawke's Bay are renowned for their muscular, physical approach and talented attacking weapons - just as the Steamers are.

Upsetting Hawke's Bay's assured attacking rhythm will be a key goal for the Steamers in what already looks like a must-win match so early in the campaign.

"They place a lot of their game around their 9 and their 10," said Schuler.

"They rely on their forwards getting dominance so their 9 and 10 can run the game, so if you reverse that ... we have to beat their forwards up and make it hard for (Alby) Mathewson and (Ihaia) West to play on their terms."