Life without Tanerau Latimer officially begins on-field for the Bay of Plenty Steamers tomorrow in New Plymouth.
It's unlikely last year's skipper will play much in the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup after cracking the All Blacks squad for the upcoming Tri Nations.
Steamers head coach Greg Smith certainly isn't expecting to see much of the busy openside flanker, going as far as confirming to the Daily Post that Joe Savage will now be the captain for the entire season.
"There's a downside for us in not having Lats but there's an upside because it gives other guys the opportunity to step in," Smith said.
Latimer obviously leaves a big hole in the side but Smith believes they have the young players in Luke Braid, Matt Vant Leven and Zac Hohneck to step up to the challenge of filling Latimer's boots.
The talented Braid gets the first openside start tomorrow when the Steamers take on Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium.
An age-group star who was previously crowned World Under-19 player of the year, Braid last started instead of Latimer in the opening game of last year's Air New Zealand Cup in Blenheim.
He is now seen as the obvious starter, with backup from Hohneck, an openside specialist, and Vant Leven who is able to play all three loose positions.
Braid had 80 minutes for Tauranga Sports last weekend and said he expected "to be sore" after tomorrow's hit-out, given he's had little actual game time while training with the Chiefs for most of the year.
Tomorrow's match doesn't have first-class status. It is being played as a trial and all of the Bay's travelling players will get some sort of game time as the Steamers look to get their combinations and patterns sorted before their season opener on July 31, against Northland in Rotorua.
Injuries and illness have forced a few changes to the probable Steamers' line-up.
Opotiki's Dean Elmiger starts at hooker with Marcel Cummings Toone not named and John Pareanga on the bench.
Vant Leven gets to show his versatility in the loose, starting at blindside flanker with Solomon King at No 8.
Mount Maunganui's Steve Wallace comes in at halfback, with squad members Josh Hall (leg) and Junior Poluleuligaga (getting married) unavailable.
Former Canterbury B captain Nick McCashin gets a run in the number 10 jersey with Mike Delany (groin) not 100 per cent yet.
Jason Hona and Clinton Toopi are on the wings with last year's midfielders Cory Aporo and Nigel Hunt reunited, and Toby Arnold comes in from outside the squad to play fullback with Zar Lawrence (knee) another not fit.
Taranaki already have some momentum, having beaten Manawatu last week in their first pre-season match.
However, they have also had some injury problems with winger/fullback Paul Perez breaking a leg at training on Monday and likely to miss the season.* The teams for the 3pm match are:
Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Clinton Toopi, Nigel Hunt, Cory Aporo, Jason Hona, Nick McCashin, Steve Wallace, Solomon King, Luke Braid, Matt Vant Leven, Culum Retallick, John Moore, Josh Hohneck, Dean Elmiger, Joe Savage (captain). Reserves: John Pareanga, Ted Tauroa, Josh Olsen, Josh Katene, Kelly Haimona, Himiona Marr, Wayne Hughson.
Taranaki: Jack Cameron, Nathan Hohaia, Willie Rickards, Jayden Hayward, Asalemo Malo, Willie Ripia, Brett Goodin, Samuela Vunisa, Chris Walker, Ben Souness, Jarrad Hoeata, Nemia Soqeta, Shane Cleaver, Laurence Corlett, Tony Penn (captain). Reserves: Timo Tutavaha, Carl Carmichael, Michael Bent, Riki Hoeata, Johnny Willis, Gareth Goodin, Chris Barron, Cody Rei.
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