The Bay of Plenty Steamers team has been named to play in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship Final against Wellington at Westpac Stadium on Friday.

Bay of Plenty Steamers last reached a National Provincial Final seventeen years ago and were successfully promoted into the Premier Division of the National Provincial Championship after beating Nelson Bays 16-12.

The side will take on the pride of Lions with confidence following three consecutive wins in a row over neighbours Waikato and twice victorious over Otago.

Head Coach Clayton McMillan has named a strong starting fifteen for the side's final game of the season.

Tom Franklin will return to start at lock combining with Captain Keepa Mewett. Canadian international Tyler Ardron will start at number eight ahead of Jesse Parete who will move to bench in jersey number 20.

Richard Judd ruled out after incurring a knee injury in last weekend's Mitre 10 Cup Championship semi-final will see halfback Luke Campbell combine with the experienced Mike Delany in the only change to the illusive backline.

Te Puna's Te Aihe Toma returns to the Steamers squad to be named as the teams reserve halfback, in what will be his 35^th game for the Steamers.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers is as follows:
1. Aidan Ross (22)
2. Liam Polwart (12)
3. Jeff Thwaites (19)
4. Keepa Mewett (33) – Captain
5. Tom Franklin (10)
6. Mitchell Karpik (4)
7. Hugh Blake (18)
8. Tyler Ardron (5)
9. Luke Campbell (15)
10. Mike Delany (70) – Vice Captain
11. Joe Webber (10)
12. Terrence Hepetema (17)
13. Lalakai Foketi (27)
14. Monty Ioane (21)
15. Chase Tiatia (24)

Reserves:
16. James O'Reilly (16)
17. Jordan Lay (7)
18. James Lay (8)
19. Troy Callander (21)
20. Jesse Parete (18)
21. Te Aihe Toma (34)
22. Matthew Garland (2)
23. Elijah Nicholas (16)

() Denotes number of games
* Denotes Bay of Plenty Steamers debut
** Denotes Blazer game

Game Details:
Friday 27 October
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Bay of Plenty Steamers vs. Wellington Lions
Kick off 7.35pm

Unavailable for selection due to injury:
Richard Judd, Culum Retallick, Solomona Sakalia, Liam Steel and Isaac Te Aute