Media Release 21 July 2010

Bay of Plenty Steamers Head Coach Sean Horan, will test his different options and combinations for the last time, before the ITM Cup kicks off in the last week in July.

On Friday afternoon (23 July 2010) a large crowd is expected to be on hand at Rugby Park in Whakatane, to see the Steamers take on Taranaki in the last of the Steamers preparatory matches, ahead of their ITM Cup campaign.

Two high profile Steamers recruits, will pull on the blue and gold Bay of Plenty team uniform for the first time. All Black Lelia Masaga is sure to get a run off the bench, with former New Zealand Schools and Colts representative Taniela Moa expected to take on the halfback role during the match.

Homegrown All Black Tanerau Latimer, who will start in the number seven jersey, has been given the captains mantle for the game. The Steamers possess a line-up of loose forwards that are likely to play havoc with the opposition during ITM Cup.

Starting with Tanerau Latimer in the Steamers loose forward ranks against Taranaki, are Luke Braid and Solomon King, with dynamic number eight Colin Bourke coming off the bench.

This week’s game against Taranaki in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, is continuing the BOPRU philosophy of taking the Steamers to the wider Bay of Plenty community, and to make the Bay flagship representatives as assessable as possible.

The match in Whakatane follows on from the Steamers first season hitout against Manawatu, that took place at the Reporoa Rugby Club, in the extremities of the Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Hawkes Bay @ Rugby Park, Whakatane - 3pm Kick Off
1 Joe Savage 2 John Pareanga 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Luke Andrews 5 Culum Retallick 6 Luke Braid 7 Tanerau Latimer (captain) 8 Solomon King 9 Chad Tuoro 10 Dan Waenga 11 Jason Hona 12 Grant McQuoid 13 Ben Smith 14 Lance MacDonald 15 Toby Arnold.
Reserves: Simon Chisholm, James McGougan, Aiden Kuka, Colin Bourke, Taniela Moa, Cory Aporo, Lelia Masaga, Sam Cane.

Head Coach: Sean Horan Assistant Coach: Steve Miln
Manager: Ross Everiss Physio: Paul Cameron
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Murray Pedersen
Asst Strength & Condition Coach: Abby Galenzoski
Analysis and Defence Coach: Paul Feeney

2010 BOP Steamers Pre-Season Results
BOP Steamers 35 Manawatu 10
BOP Steamers 44 Hawkes Bay 34

For Further Information Contact
Ross Everiss Bay of Plenty Steamers Manager
0274 487 013