Steamers face difficult finish to poor season

Away matches do not get any tougher in the ITM Cup than playing Canterbury in Christchurch.

But that is the daunting prospect facing the Bay of Plenty Steamers in their final game of the season tomorrow, and they may need to get at least a point to avoid relegation to the ITM Championship division next year.

The odds are in the Steamers favour to finish ahead of Hawke's Bay, but considering the performances up front from the pack all season, and large periods dominating possession and territory in nearly every game, the Steamers should be pressing for semifinals not avoiding relegation.

Certainly the Bay players, coaches and supporters will be expecting a better performance against Canterbury after the abysmal showing in the loss to Tasman.

Coach Kevin Schuler's team should be well refreshed after a 10-day break but despite that he has made several changes to his starting team.

He is still without some key players who are injured for the showdown in Christchurch, but other changes have come about because of the poor performance against Tasman.

Schuler has given starting roles to some inexperienced members of his squad who have all performed well off the bench in the last two games.

NZ Under-20s hooker Nathan Harris gets his first start, ahead of John Pareanga, and is joined in the front row by new tighthead prop Mike Kainga.

Dan Goodwin moves from lock to blindside flanker, replacing Jesse Acton, with Keepa Mewett moving into the engine room to join the impressive Leon Power.

The Steamers welcome back captain Jamie Nutbrown at halfback, who will start a game with top first-five Chris Noakes for the first time since the opening game against Taranaki back in August.

Noakes' flatmate Phil Burleigh is back after concussion. The Highlanders midfielder was sorely missed against Tasman.

Outstanding finisher Lelia Masaga is injured and will miss the Canterbury game, giving the highly promising Jack Wilson a start on the left wing, with the versatile Lance MacDonald switching across to the right wing.

The match kicks off at 4.35pm.