It's a brand new season, a new-look team and hopefully a new outcome for the Bay of Plenty Steamers as they look to restore provincial pride in the 2015 ITM Cup season.

Co-captained by Culum Retallick and Carl Axtens, the Steamers face North Harbour on home ground at ASB Baypark tomorrow night in the first game of the championship campaign.

Bay of Plenty Steamers won their pre-season fixture against Manawatu on August 6. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

It was bittersweet the last time BOP and North Harbour went head-to-head, as the two 2014 ITM Cup championship sides looked to halt a run of unflattering performances.

And Steamers lock Tim Bond says it's up to them to ensure fortunes are reversed this time around.

'We have to turn up on Friday night with the right attitude,” says Bond, 'and not allow them to do what they want. Instead, we have to achieve what we want.”

The only way is up for the Steamers, insists the 25-year-old, with the squad looking to right a few wrongs after last season.

'We're definitely looking to improve on previous years,” says the lock. 'The energy's very good within the camp and the boys are all pretty excited about the season coming up.”

The blue and golds will take to the field without Bond, who suffered a knock to the head during last week's pre-season clash against Manawatu at Tauranga Domain.

But the Te Puke Sports club player says he'll be back in time for next Friday's match against Tasman at Nelson's Trafalgar Park.

'Young Dan [Hollinshead] had a little bit of a knock as well,” he explains, 'but other than that the boys are looking pretty fit, so it's a good place to be at the moment.”

Despite not being named in this Friday's team, new Steamers Aidan Ross and Seb Siataga are hoping they'll get a chance to make their debut soon.

Fresh from the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in Italy, 19-year-old Aidan admits he's always had one eye on a Steamers' spot.

'Obviously it was one of my goals,” says the prop, 'and with it being my home province, I'm just really excited to get out there and get some game time under my belt.

'I'm just stoked that it's my home province that I'm representing and it's a chance to try and do my family and friends proud.

'The nerves are definitely there, but it's a good feeling because it's a goal I've wanted to achieve along the way. It's good to get here.”

Canterbury boy Seb Siataga is grateful to the Bay for the opportunity to wear the blue and gold jersey and is also looking forward to the ITM Cup season.

'I'm pretty nervous, but excited at the same time,” admits the 22-year-old.

Perhaps he can learn a few tricks off the captain, as Carl Axtens' new flatmate.

'I'm living with the captain, so it's pretty cool,” he adds. 'I'll be looking forward to the summer here.”

Head Coach Clayton McMillan has named nine debutants in the Steamers team to play North Harbour tomorrow night at Mount Maunganui's ASB Baypark Stadium.

The match will be also be Steamers halfback and first five Te Aihe Toma's blazer match. 'The team have trained really hard in the pre-season in the lead up to this match,” says Clayton.

'While we are happy with aspects of our pre-season matches, we are acutely aware that they count for nothing.

'North Harbour as a team have probably targeted us as a team to beat. We acknowledge that we need to step up to the challenge and we intend to.” The game kicks off at 8.05pm at ASB Baypark Stadium on Friday, August 14.

Bay of Plenty Development will take on Counties Manukau Development in the curtain raiser match at 5.30pm. Gates open at 5pm. Tickets are available online for all Steamers ITM Cup home games via: www.boprugby.co.nz

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased from the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union offices until 3pm tomorrow. Thereafter, tickets will be available for purchase on the gate.

Steamers Team named to face North Harbour:

Solomona Sakalia

Nathan Harris

Pingi Tala'apitaga

Keepa Mewett

Culum Retallick ©

Shahn Eru

Johan Bardoul

Carl Axtens ©

Papa Wharewera

Nick Evemy

Chase Tiatia

Terrence Hepetema

Lalakai Foketi

Tino Nemani

Te Rangi Fraser

Joe Royal

Reserves:

Joe Royal

Siegfried Fisi'ihoi

Jeff Thwaites

Troy Callander

Zak Hohneck

Te AiheToma

Caleb Hall

Craig Clare