Steamers squad gunning for Mitre 10 elevation

Te Puke Sports lock Kane Le'aupepe is amongst the new faces in the Steamers squad

A decent handful of household names, including four current or former All Blacks and a round dozen Super Rugby pros, highlight the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad released this morning for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup campaign.

Mike Delany's return to blue and gold colours last year has been echoed by fellow former All Black Tanerau Latimer's for this season's assault on the Championship division title and promotion to the upper Premiership tier of the competition – a feat they only just failed to achieve last year with an extra time loss to Wellington in the final.

They're joined by current Men in Black Sam Cane and Nathan Harris in the 32-man squad named by Head Coach Clayton McMillan and assistants Rodney Gibbs, David Hill and Damian Karauna. Canadian Tyler Ardron and Scot Hugh Blake – both returning for another term in the blue and gold – take the tally of past or present internationals to six.

High profile Super Rugby artisans in the lineup include Liam Polwart, Aidan Ross, Sabastian Siataga, Lalakai Foketi and Terrence Hepetema.

The ranks of fresh young talent are headed by the Bay's two New Zealand Under 20's players Kaleb Trask and Tevita Mafileo, while Mt Maunganui's All Black Sevens midfielder Trael Joass, who captained the Tasman Makos in last year's Mitre 10 Cup, is a fascinating acquisition for the Steamers.

Other new faces include props Tom McHugh and Ross Geldenhuys, towering Te Puke Sports lock Kane Le'aupepe, and Rangiuru's Number 8 Hoani Matenga.

A selection of rookie backs have also earned their call-ups including Te Puke number ten Jason Robertson and Rangataua winger Fa'asui Fuatai.

Clayton McMillan is looking forward to seeing his combination of hard-bitten experienced campaigners and fresh faces build together over the coming weeks.

'I'm really pleased with the squad we've assembled for our 2018 campaign,” he says, 'and in particular the number of returning players from what was a fairly successful last season.

'That familiarity and cohesiveness should not be underestimated when pulling a team together in short time frames post Super Rugby. That, in combination with the outstanding young talent coming through our academy and club system, as well as the addition of some hardened and experienced professionals, bodes well for an exciting season.”

Clayton says he's confident in their selection despite the loss of some key individuals. Keepa Mewitt, Tom Franklin, Jesse Parete and the retired Calum Retallick are notable absentees from last season's Championship runners-up.

'We acknowledge the loss of some experience overseas, particularly in the second row, but I'm confident in the men we have selected and know each and every player will go to work for each other, our whanau, and the community we represent.”

Bay of Plenty CEO Mike Rogers says growth is a key target for his union.

'We're excited about the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season. We're very motivated about continuing to grow as a union and make our community proud both with our on-field performances and our engagement in the community.

'Clayton and his management group have assembled a group that we think will play an exciting style of rugby that represents what the Bay of Plenty wants to see. I hope our community gets behind the team and takes the opportunity to enjoy getting along to a game and support the team.”

The Bay of Plenty Steamers conclude their pre-season preparations in Katikati this Friday when they meet Auckland. They then face an early test of their title-winning aspirations when they kick off their Mitre 10 Cup campaign at Rotorua

International Stadium on Saturday 18 August against Premiership outfit Taranaki.

2018 Bay of Plenty Steamers Squad: (Steamers appearances in brackets) Hookers: Nathan Harris – Te Puke Sports (29), Liam Polwart – Greerton Marist (14), Sabastian Siataga – Rotoiti (13)

Props: Ross Geldenhuys – Papamoa (0), James Lay – Whakarewarewa (10), Tevita Mafileo – Tauranga Sports (0), Tom McHugh – Whakarewarewa (0), Aidan Ross – Te Puke Sports (24), Solomona Sakalia – Mount Maunganui (33), Jeff Thwaites – Te Puna (21)

Locks: Tyler Ardron – Papamoa (7), Kane Le'aupepe – Te Puke Sports (0), Baden Wardlaw – Rotoiti (1)

Loose Forwards: Hugh Blake – Te Puke Sports (15), Sam Cane – Tauranga Sports (19), Mitchell Karpik – Rangataua (6), Tanerau Latimer – Rangiuru (79)

Number 8's: Aileone Junior Lafaele-Mua (AJ) – Tauranga Sports (1), Hoani Matenga – Rangiuru (0)

Half backs: Luke Campbell – Te Puke Sports (16), Richard Judd – Mount Maunganui (10)

First five-eights: Mike Delaney – Mount Maunganui (72), Jason Robertson – Te Puke Sports (0)

Midfield backs: Lalakai Foketi – Rangataua (30), Terrence Hepetema – Te Puna (19), Liam Steel – Mount Maunganui (4), Trael Joass – Mount Maunganui (0)

Outside backs: Matthew Garland – Whakarewarewa (3), Fa'asui Fuatai – Rangataua (0), Kaleb Trask – Tauranga Sports (0), Bailey Simonsson – Greerton Marist (0), Chase

Tiatia – Rangataua (26)

Steamers Management: Head Coach: Clayton McMillan Assistant Coach: Rodney Gibbs Assistant Coach: David Hill Assistant Coach: Damian Karauna Campaign Manager: Wayne Brill Operations Manager: Herby Ngawhika Physiotherapist: Paul Cameron Strength and Conditioning Trainer: Brad Mayo Assistant Strength and Conditioning Trainer: Thomas Stebbing Video Analyst: Mark Roberts

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