An injury to Tanerau Latimer is putting a dampener on the build-up to the Bay of Plenty Steamer's match against Wellington at Westpac Stadium on Thursday night.

With Sam Cane to start at openside flanker for the All Blacks against South Africa on Saturday and Latimer ruled out through injury, coach Kevin Schuler has been forced to select former Wallabies loosie Beau Robinson as the primary ball fetcher in a pack boasting just two other Super Rugby players.

Carl Axtens will start at No 8 for the Steamers match with Wellington on Thursday.

Joe Royal has been named at hooker ahead of Nathan Harris, who has been at an emerging hooker's camp with the All Blacks coaches this week, while Melbourne Rebels player Albert Anae will prop the scrum with Kane Hames in place of Pingi Tala'apitaga.

The match also sees the return of lock Culum Retallick after serving a two week suspension for a dangerous tackle during the sides clash with Hawke's bay.

In the backs, Dave Thomas has been named at fullback in the absence of Steve Honey, while Australian import Elliott Hagan has been named on the bench in place of Rangiuru product Elijah Nicholas.

The match shapes as a pivotal contest for the Steamers ahead of a tough midseason stretch of three matches in ten days.

A clash with Southland and a possible Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki closely follow the meeting with Wellington, meaning the next fortnight will likely either make or break the side's 2013 campaign.

The match marks halfway through the Steamers schedule and with teams placed fourth to seventh separated by just six points there is still plenty of time for the bottom sides to make a run.

Wellington, however, have looked one of the class sides of this year's competition.

Unbeaten after five matches and boasting a loose trio consisting of former All Black Victor Vito and future stars Brad Shields and Ardie Savea, the men from the capital will prove tough to stop inside the swirling confines of Westpac Stadium.

Bay of Plenty Steamers to play Wellington, Westpac Stadium, 7.35pm

Starting XV:

1 Kane Hames, 2 Joe Royal, 3 Albert Anae, 4 Johan Bardoul, 5 Culum Retallick, 6 Joe Tupe, 7 Beau Robinson, 8 Carl Axtens, 9 Josh Hall, 10 Willie Ripia, Kimami Sitauti, 12 Sam Beard, 13 Kenny Lynn, 14 Tino Nemani, 15 Dave Thomas

Reserves:

16 Nathan Harris, 17 Pingi Tala'apitaga, 18 Beau Williams, 19 Kieran Black, 20 Te Aihe Toma, 21 Nick Evemy, 22 Elliott Hagen