Rugby: Steamers must keep up heat

Being able to cope with 80 minutes of intensity could be the key to a successful ITM Cup campaign for the Bay of Plenty Steamers this season.

Steamers coach Kevin Schuler's side grabbed a 59-7 win over the Bay of Plenty development squad, disguised as a Wasps XV at the Rotorua International Stadium yesterday.

But it wasn't all smooth sailing for the blue and gold, in almost identical circumstances as last week's match against Hawkes Bay.

Schuler's squad jumped out to a 21-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. Whether it was letting the foot of the accelerator or the Wasps finding their feet, will be up to the brains trust within the Steamers camp to decipher.

However, the small but vocal crowd who bothered to come along and get a glimpses of what could be a good ITM Cup team, left the ground pretty happy with what they got for the gold coin donation entry fee.

The Steamers scored an impressive nine tries to one with the first three coming from slick backline moves orchestrated by Chris Noakes and backed up by quick phase play by the forwards, led by Luke Braid.

Impressive for the second week running was Jack Wilson on the wing. The youngster has the knack of being able to beat the first man almost at will.

Combine that with Lance MacDonald yesterday and Toby Arnold and Lelia Masaga (when they return later in the season), the Steamers have a potent attacking force for not only their upcoming match on Friday, against North Harbour in Katikati, but the rest of the season.

The only concern for Schuler has to be the tendency to drop-off when in the lead. The Wasps couldn't take advantage of it, but a side like North Harbour or Taranaki in their opening round next week could be another matter.

"I think for the most part [of the match], some great sort of flowing play and some good tries early on. In the middle of that first half it got a bit scrappy but then finished strong," Schuler said.

In the midfield, the Steamers have plenty of class with Phil Burleigh, Mafileo Kefu and new kid on the block Maru Henry.

Henry, a former Whakarewarewa and Rotorua Boys' High School 1st XV player, now playing for Paroa, has been sensational in his first two matches with the Steamers. His hard running and ball handling skills will keep any defensive line guessing.

The Steamers managed to score two more tries before the break to take the lead out to 33-0, but the first 15 minutes of the second half belonged to the Wasps.

They had the majority of the ball but again couldn't turn possession into points.

It took a flash of individual brilliance from Te Amo Wilbore for the Wasps to put their only points on the board.

A chip kick and regather, behind the Steamers' defensive line and then an offload by Wilbore to Gareth Cossey gave the speedster a 35m run to the line for the first-five to convert.

It took about 20 minutes for the Steamers to find their rhythm but this could have been down to the wholesale changes after the break. But once they did find their mojo, they piled on four more tries.

Braid said the game was a good blowout for the team before Friday's encounter with North Harbour.

"They [the Wasps] went really well. I don't think the score reflects how well they played. It was just good getting through our systems and working our combinations," he said.

Although North Harbour have named their squad for the Steamers' last preseason match in Katikati, the home side are not expected to release theirs until later today. Kick off is at 2.30pm.