Sideline Sid - Sports blogger Sideline Sid is a local sport fanatic. Not only is he a classic rugby bloke but he has views, opinions and knowledge on all sports played in the Bay of Plenty.

It was a fantastic effort by the Bay of Plenty Sevens team at the National Sevens Tournament in Queenstown over the weekend.

While they finally bowed out to Waikato in the final stanza, they played with all the pride and passion of Bay of Plenty teams through the years throughout the two days of competition.

The Bay's last try in the semi-final against Taranaki was a beauty. With the hooter going for full time, the Bay was behind on the scoreboard and deep in their own territory.

What happened next was a typical unorthodox play, where the ball was run about the field in different directions through a number of hands, with the result a touchdown under the post. At 17 all, the Bay kicker didn't hesitate and nailed the conversion to put Bay of Plenty into the final.

Bay of Plenty has always been known for their unorthodox approach in rugby. In recent seasons the approach to provincial sevens by other provinces has been to select large battering rams that can bulldoze their way through the opposition.

In complete contrast, the Bay team management went for a team of whippets who could run their opponents off their feet. No better example was provided than by the Western Bay trio of Ruki Tipuna, Toby Arnold and Matt Hodson.

Two provincial tournament victories, and the solitary loss to our neighbours from over the Kaimais, provide proof of the success of the Bay game of open running rugby.

Just maybe, the powers that run rugby in the country, knew what they were doing with the revamp of the Air New Zealand Cup. The more likely scenario is that they got there more by good luck than good management.

While there was plenty of criticism of the back down to a 10 team National Rugby championship next year, I think that there is now plenty to play for this season with top and bottom seven team divisions the following year.

It goes without saying that the Bay will be chasing a spot in the top echelon. Victories last season over Wellington and Canterbury suggests that the Bay can compete with the big boys – the question in my mind is consistency throughout the season.

However, there are prospects of a more even playing field with the introduction of a realistic salary cap. Capping the player payments should get rid of the scenario where players from the likes of the Bay have been lured to the Super Rugby bases only to warm the benches.

Another real plus that the Bay has is the identified age group pathway. In recent seasons, Bay of Plenty has been extremely competitive at age group level, in the Northern Region competitions.

A number of the talented youngsters are now making the jump into the Steamers ranks – which means there is little need to recruit from outside the region.

Tanerau Latimer and Mike Delaney have shown that talent and determination will take you all the way to the All Blacks, playing in the Bay strip.

Seeya at the Game.