Introducing the 2022 Steamers Squad 

Congratulations to the 37 men officially selected in the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad for 2022.  

 The squad underwent their first pre-season hit-out last weekend at Te Awamutu, where they played Counties Manukau and Taranaki in the annual Chiefs Centurions Cup. They defeated Taranaki 50-5 in the preliminary game before falling just short in the final vs Counties 19-5.   

 "It was really good to see our boys in action, and I have been really happy with our performance both on-field and off-field over the last few weeks," says Head Coach Mike Delany.  

 "We can't take much from both results as it was only the pre-season. We'll be facing much stronger competition from those teams in NPC. Still, it's a great starting point, and we can continue to grow over the next week leading into our first game against Wellington."  

 Mount Maunganui's Taylor Haugh, Te Puna's Luke Donaldson, and Tauranga Sports' Jacob Norris are all newly signed Steamers who played in premier men's rugby this season. Mount Maunganui defeated Te Puna 27-26 in a Blake Park thriller over the weekend.   

 "Both me and Kohan [Herbert] were able to get back from our game and catch the last minutes of the final and support our team," says Haugh.  

 "So proud of the boys for getting the win, and it was a pleasure taking part in Marlin's footy this season."  

 The squad includes 15 players developed through the Bay of Plenty Athlete Development Programme. The ADP looks to identify and develop promising young Bay of Plenty local talent with the hopes that they go on to represent the Steamers at the elite level.   

 Lucas Cashmore, Nikora Broughton, Benet Kumeroa, Josh Bartlett and Veveni Lasaqa are a few examples of young men who signed after successful ventures in the ADP.   

"It's a great reminder that the Programme effectively creates opportunities for our local talent to break through," says Steamers Assistant Coach James Porter.    

 Returning players of note are newly capped All Black Aidan Ross, Kaleb Trask, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Emoni Narawa and Justin Sangster. Tongan national team representative Zane Kapeli will also play for the Steamers for the first time since 2020.

“I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Steamers again this year. We have an exciting team with loads of talent - I’m just trying to keep up. We are big on connections and it seems like the new lads are fitting in like a glove. I'm excited to see what we can achieve this year,” says Kapeli. 

 The Steamers have also signed a list of exciting high calibre and international talent including former Blues standout Melani Nanai, former NZ 7's Gillies Kaka, Australian international and Waratah Joey Walton, as well as NZ 7's Rodrick Solo who is currently competing with fellow Steamer Leroy Carter in preparation for the Commonwealth Games.   

 This season's Ngawha (Steamers Development) team also promises to provide opportunities for talented Bay of Plenty players and ensure the Steamers' talent pool runs deep.  

 "I'm excited around the Ngawha campaign, which will give us a great opportunity to see the emerging players playing consistently at the next level," says Delany.  

 "Last year, through injury, we went through 58 players, and we see the importance of that programme succeeding to produce NPC calibre players."  

 With just two weeks left until the start of the season, the Steamers will travel to Takapuna on Saturday, 30 July, for their final pre-season match in a game of three halves against North Harbour and Northland. Their season officially begins against Wellington at Sky Stadium the following weekend.  

 "I've been impressed with how quickly our squad have got together and connected. We don't have the luxury of spending large amounts of time together before the season starts, so the speed at which we've rallied together has been a positive first step," says Delany.  

 "I'm confident in our group this year and the ability to put performances together that we are proud of. There is good competition within the squad which puts us in a really good place this time of year."  

 Recognition must go out to our Steamers' primary sponsor, Three Duke Homes, whose continued support makes our season possible. Three Dukes Homes is a construction company operating in the Auckland, Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions and have a reputation for excellence. They design and build homes, offer house and land packages, and do subdivisions and commercial developments. For more information about this company and the great work they do, click the link here. 

 Special mention also goes to our other major apparel sponsors in Carrus, iLine Construction and Craigs Investment Partners for their continued support of our Steamers.   

 The draw for the Steamers 2022 NPC season can be found here. Tickets to all Steamers' home games at the Tauranga Domain can be purchased online here, with adult tickets $25.00, Student tickets $15.00, Child tickets $5.00 and children under the age of 5 free. 

2022 Bay of Plenty Steamers squad   

Aidan Ross (Te Puke Sports) 
Anaru Rangi (Taneatua) 
Benet Kumeroa (Rangiuru) 
Emoni Narawa (Tauranga Sports) 
Gillies Kaka (Whakarewarewa) 
Haereiti Hetet 
Inga Finau (Arataki) – Vice Captain 
Jacob Norris (Tauranga Sports) 
Jamie Dobie 
Jeff Thwaites (Te Puna) 
Joey Walton 
Josh Bartlett (Tauranga Sports) 
Justin Sangster (Te Puna) 
Kaleb Trask (Tauranga Sports) 
Kitiona Vai 
Kohan Herbert (Mount Maunganui) 
Kurt Eklund (Mount Maunganui) - Captain 
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Greerton Marist) 
Leroy Carter (Tauranga Sports) 
Lucas Cashmore (Tauranga Sports) 
Luke Donaldson (Te Puna) 
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Mount Maunganui) 
Melani Nanai 
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Whakarewarewa) 
Nic Souchon (Tauranga Sports) 
Nigel Ah Wong 
Nikora Broughton (Rangiuru) 
Pasilio Tosi (Greerton Marist) 
Penitoa Finau (Greerton Marist) 
Roderick Solo (Mount Maunganui) 
Sam Cane (Reporoa) 
Taylor Haugh (Mount Maunganui) 
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Whakarewarewa) 
Tevita Mafileo (Tauranga Sports) 
Veveni Lasaqa (Greerton Marist) 
Wharenui Hawera (Judea) 
Zane Kapeli (Waikite) 

2022 Bay of Plenty Steamers Management Group    
Head Coach: Mike Delany    
Forwards Coach: Richard Watt  
Scrum Coach: Pingi Tala'apitaga  
Attack Coach: Damian Karauna  
Skills Coach: James Porter  
Manager: Wayne Brill                                                                                                                       
Assistant Manager: Lisa Appert  
Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Thomas Stebbing     
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Scott Joblin  
Physio: Simon Robins  
Assistant Physio: Brandon Olsen 
Doctor: Dr Sophie Thomas 
Video Analyst: Brad Morgan 

Article added: Tuesday 26 July 2022