The Bay of Plenty Steamers will play their final Mitre 10 Cup home game of the season at Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday when they take on Manawatu.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers will play their final home game of the season at Rotorua on Sunday. Photo: file.

The Steamers coaching management of Clayton McMillan, Rodney Gibbs and David Hill have named their side to take on Manawatu 4.35pm tomorrow.

Injuries following the Steamers match against North Harbour have ruled out flanker Hugh Blake with a fractured ankle and Joe Tupe with bruised ribs. This has required the Steamers management to make a number of changes in this weekend's starting 23.

Hooker Joseph Royal and tight head prop Siegfried Fisi'ihoi will start ahead of James O'Reilly and Pingi Tala'apitaga who will move to the bench. Henry Stowers and Jesse Parete will be the new starting number seven and eight combination.

The only change for the back line will see half back Te Aihe Toma start ahead of Rangataua's Ruki Tipuna.

Jeff Thwaites, covering lock and flanker Matty Axtens will join loose head prop Solomona Sakalia, first five eight Kelly Haimona and full back Te Rangi Fraser on the bench to make up the playing 23.

The Rotorua community this weekend are encouraged to not only show their support for the Bay of Plenty Steamers but to join the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union in their support for the Bay of Plenty St Vincent de Paul. The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union will be giving all gate takings to the St Vincent de Paul from the Steamers versus Manawatu match to assist them with the purchase of a new van for their Rotorua food run.

Once again the family zone will give kids the chance to enjoy pre-game autographs with the Steamers, skills and drills and free giveaways.

Plus to add to the afternoon for families, kids will eat for free thanks to the support from Fruit Monster, Rotorua Lakes Council – Rotorua Events and Venues and Compass Group. The initiative a huge success in Tauranga will no doubt be welcomed by Rotorua families.

To take up the kids eat free offer, kids are required to redeem their ticket at the Fruit Monster Family Zone, where they will receive two pieces of free fruit and a coupon to utilise at the concourse kiosk in the Stadium for fish and chips.

Steamers take on Manawatu at Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday, October 9. Gates open 3.30pm, kick off at 4.35pm.

The team is as follows:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Joseph Royal
3. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
4. Keepa Mewett
5. Culum Retallick
6. Shahn Eru
7. Henry Stowers
8. Jesse Parete
9. Te Aihe Toma
10. Dan Hollinshead
11. Regan Ware
12. Teddy Stanaway
13. Lalakai Foketi
14. Monty Ioane
15. Isaac Te Aute

Reserves:

16. James O'Reilly

17. Solomona Sakalia

18. Pingi Tala'apitaga

19. Jeff Thwaites

20. Matty Axtens

21. Ruki Tipuna

22. Kelly Haimona

23. Te Rangi Fraser