Following a sensational NPC season and historic Ranfurly Shield win, the Bay of Plenty rugby side has been rewarded with nine Steamers players named in the Chiefs squad for the 2005 season.
Bay captain and flanker Wayne Ormond, props Simms Davison and Ben Castle, midfielder Grant McQuoid andhooker Aleki Lutui are back in the side, while flanker Nili Latu, fullback Adrian Cashmore, halfback Kevin Senio, and lock Bernie Upton are new Chiefs.
Meanwhile, Bay of Plenty players drafted into other Super 12 franchises are halfback Isaac Boss (Hurricanes), prop Taufaao Filise (Blues) and No 8 Colin Bourke (Highlanders).
