Bay of Plenty Steamers coaches have made four changes to the starting line-up for their Mitre 10 Cup clash against Northland tonight.

After narrowly losing to Otago last week, the Steamers will be looking to record their first win in the national competition when they take on the Taniwha at Rotorua International Stadium.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers take on the Northland Taniwha in Rotorua tonight. File Photo.

'This week's game is pivotal to the fortunes of both teams. Northland look like a team growing in confidence, and their combative performances in recent weeks against quality opponents has not been lost on us,” says Steamers head coach Clayton McMillan.

The only change in the forwards will see Te Puke Sports Aidan Ross starting at loose head prop, with Siegfried Fisi'ihoi moving to the bench.

In the backs, Rangataua's Ruki Tipuna will run out for his blazer game as the starting half back, with Te Aihe Toma moving to the number 21 jersey.

Teddy Stanaway will return from injury to start at centre replacing the injured Lalakai Foketi. Isaac Te Aute will start at fullback, with Whakarewarewa's Te Rangi Fraser moving to the number 23 jersey.

The bench will also see the return of Te Puna's Shahn Eru after being side lined with concussion and the inclusion of Tauranga Sport's first five eight Nick Evemy.

'We expect a war and have prepared accordingly. We also look forward to returning to the Rotorua International Stadium where the players thoroughly enjoy playing.”

Tonight's match will also fittingly celebrate club rugby, with 200 junior players involved in a junior club rugby march, while the Steamers players will run out in their club rugby socks to recognise the support and appreciation from their Bay of Plenty rugby clubs.

The celebrations continue with BOPRU and the BOPRU's Presidents Group hosting the 1976 Bay of Plenty Rugby team – the first side to hold aloft the iconic Rugby Cup after their 10-7 victory over Hawkes Bay in Rotorua during the final of the inaugural National Provincial Championship.

The Rugby Cup, now the Mitre 10 Cup, will be proudly displayed and reunited with the Bay of Plenty side and former captain Tuck Waka, and the team will be formally acknowledge and recognised for their achievement at half time in front of the Rotorua crowd.

This weekend will also see the introduction of the family zone at our Rotorua games. It will be a great chance for children to enjoy pre-game autographs with the Steamers, skills and drills and free giveaways.

THE BAY OF PLENTY STEAMERS:

1. Aiden Ross
2. Liam Polwart
3. Pingi Tala'apitaga
4. Troy Callander
5. Culum Retallick
6. Jesse Parete
7. Hugh Blake
8. Joe Tupe
9. Ruki Tipuna*
10. Kelly Haimona
11. Regan Ware
12. Terrence Hepetema
13. Teddy Stanaway
14. Monty Ioane
15. Isaac Te Aute
16. James O'Reilly
17. Solomona Sakalia
18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
19. Shahn Eru
20. Henry Stowers
21. Te Aihe Toma
22. Nick Evemy
23. Te Rangi Fraser

Tickets cost $20 for adults and $5 for children 14 years and under. Tickets available online via www.boprugby.co.nz or www.ticketmaster.co.nz.