Bay of Plenty Steamers centre eager to face Manawatu

IN FORM: Terrence Hepetema scores for Bay of Plenty against Wellington last Thursday. PHOTO / STEPHEN PARKER

If you grew up playing rugby with All Black TJ Perenara there is a good chance some of his hunger for success would rub off on you.

Bay of Plenty Steamers centre Terrence Hepetema played Wellington age-grade rugby and in the Mana College First XV with Perenara, who he regards as his best mate.

Since moving north to try his luck with Bay of Plenty, there have been times when Hepetema must have wished he could have some of his mate's good fortune.

In the opening minutes of his Steamers debut in 2015 Hepetema injured his knee so badly he did not play another game that year. Last season he was again affected by niggling injuries which halted his progress.

But after an excellent Baywide club season with Te Puna, the 25-year-old is in top form. Hepetema has been the starting centre in the Steamers' opening three seasons and with second-five Lalakai Foketi has forged one of the best midfield combinations in the Mitre 10 Cup.

"It is third season with La now and you build a bit of consistency and a relationship. I think we are doing that well and the more we play together the better we will perform," Hepetema said.

The loss to the Lions last Thursday was particularly disappointing for a Wellington boy like Hepetema.

"We spoke massively during the week about bringing the physicality and barring up from one to 23 and we sort of didn't do that. With a team like Wellington, if you let them get off to a good start it is going to be pretty hard to reel them in.

"It wasn't a true reflection of where we are at. We are progressing really, really nicely and as Donk [coach Clayton McMillan] said we missed an opportunity there."

Getting the match points against Manawatu in Palmerston North on Friday night has become crucial to the Steamers chances of getting a playoff spot.

"It is getting that way. I guess when you are playing championship sides like Manawatu then it is a must-win," Hepetema said.

"It was a missed opportunity against Wellington so it is sort of imperative now that we go after the result and put in a good performance."

Hepetema has no regrets about moving north to play for the Steamers.

"I am loving it and playing club for Te Puna. The lifestyle is a lot different to Wellington. Don't get me wrong I love Wellington and I love being from there and stuff like that, but here is just different with the beach, the cafes and being a smaller community you get to know everyone on a personal level.

"You can't really do that in Wellington obviously, being such a big city."

Bay of Plenty team v Manawatu
Palmerston North, Friday, 7.35pm

1. Solomona Sakalia (30), 2. Liam Polwart (7), 3. Jeff Thwaites (12), 4. Troy Callander (14)*, Keepa Mewett (26) captain, 6. Tom Franklin (3), 7. Hugh Blake (11). 8. Tyler Ardron (2), 9. Richard Judd (3), 10. Kelly Haimona (25), 11. Joe Webber (3), 12. Terrence Hepetema (10), 13. Lalakai Foketi (21), 14. Monty Ioane (14)**, 15. Chase Tiatia (17)
Reserves: 16. James O'Reilly (11), 17. Aidan Ross (16), 18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (31), 19. Culum Retallick (105), 20. Henry Stowers (12), 21. Luke Campbell (7), 22. Liam Steel (2). 23. Isaac Te Aute (12).

( ) Denotes number of games, * Denotes Bay of Plenty Steamers debut, ** Denotes Blazer game