Memories of the last game between the Bay of Plenty Steamers and Hawke's Bay will be all the motivation that the Bay team needs in their ITM Cup fixture in Napier tonight.
Hawke's Bay spoiled the Bay of Plenty party when they defeated the Steamers 32-13 in Rotorua last year, on the day that Bay of Plenty were having the official formalities of their centennial year celebrations.
With both Hawke's Bay and the Steamers in the Premier relegation zone at present, there is likely to be no quarter asked or given in the battle between the two arch-rivals.
The rivalry stretches all the way back to 1922 with encounters between the pair always about pride and passion. All Black flanker Sam Cane has been given a release for the Bay encounter and will join skipper Tanerau Latimer and Luke Braid in a devastating combination of loose forwards.
Since picking up the captain's mantle with the injury to Jamie Nutbrown, the Steamers' stalwart has been in career best form always leading his troops from the front.
Maru Henry will make his Steamers debut tonight wearing the number 11 jersey. The left wing broke into the Bay side from outstanding form in Baywide club rugby before putting together some sterling performances in the Bay pre-season encounters.
Nick McCashin took his season points tally to over 50 in the Steamers superb win over Auckland last weekend. He posted a personal tally of 22 points in the Auckland match courtesy of five penalty goals, the last try of the match and a conversion.
The Steamers' leading points scorer now sits on 51 points, which have come from 12 penalty goals, five conversions and the Auckland game touchdown.
Leading the try scoring stakes is Lance MacDonald who grabbed a double against Auckland. Starting at fullback, MacDonald was always looking to get into the backline throughout the game and was rewarded with his side's first two touchdowns, to add to his try in the Taranaki game. Tristan Moran and Phil Burleigh have both picked up two tries apiece.
Bay of Plenty Steamers v Hawke's Bay at Napier, tonight - kickoff 7.35pm
Teams
Bay Steamers: 1 Greg Pleasants-Tate 2 Dan Perrin 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Culum Retallick 5 Leon Power 6 Tanerau Latimer (captain) 7 Sam Cane 8 Luke Braid 9 Josh Hall 10 Nick McCashin 11 Maru Henry 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Kenny Lynn 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Lance MacDonald. Reserves: John Pareanga, Tristan Moran, Dan Goodwin, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, Chris Noakes, Mafi Kefu.
Hawke's Bay: Andrew Horrell, Gillies Kaka, Marvin Karawana, Tua Saseve, Penikolo Latu, Dan Waenga, Chris Eaton, Mike Coman (captain), Karl Lowe, Tivaini Fomai, Ross Kennedy, Johan Schonbee, Pete Borlase, Hika Elliot, Adrian Barone. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Brendon Edmonds, Tom Parsons, Kieran Coll, Isaac Paewai, Ihaia West, Nick McLennan.Bay statsBay of Plenty Steamers Record v Hawkes Bay (1922 - 2011)
Played 41 - BOP 24 Hawkes Bay 16 Drawn 1.
Last Game (2011) Hawke's Bay 32 BOP 13
Bay of Plenty 2012 Point Scorers:
Total Points: Nick McCashin 51 (12 pen, 5 con, try) Lance MacDonald 15, Tristan Moran 10, Phil Burleigh 10
Tries: Lance MacDonald 3 tries, Tristan Moran 2, Phil Burleigh 2There is likely to be no quarter asked or given in the battle between the two arch-rivals.