The Bay of Plenty Volcanix run out in the first leg of tomorrow's rugby showpiece doubleheader at the Tauranga Domain intent on proving they're comfortable at the top table.

Promotion to the Premiership division of the Farrah Palmer Cup was ticked off last year in a rain-soaked Championship final victory over Otago at Blake Park, now getting to grips with the top tier is the focus.

They have as tough an examination of their mettle as they come first up, against title-holders Canterbury, but they're relishing the prospect, coach Brendon Webby says.

'We're pretty excited actually. They're reigning champions, so it's good for us to get a nice early test and opportunity for the girls to see where they're at.

'We had a preseason last weekend against Counties Manukau. They were the other finalist last year so that again gave us a pretty good gauge of where we need to be at.

'But we're reasonably confident. The two games last year we had against Premiership sides we drew one and lost the other by two points so we feel we'll be more than competitive and definitely looking forward to the challenge.”

Brendon is happy with the progression his team have shown in their preseason campaign, with the 38-14 loss to Counties following on from the Game of Three Halves at Tauranga Domain where they were able to enjoy the experience of taking on the Black Ferns before putting up a more than competitive showing against Auckland.

More important for Brendon was the opportunity to gain some insight into how his squad ticks.

'We learnt a lot from those two games,” he says, 'and the squad is such at the moment that we've got some real good competition for places and we've been learning more and more about who's going to fill those roles.

'It's pretty important for the team that they're applying themselves for the full 80 minutes, because we're going to need to be that type of team. And in those preseason games and even during training we're really learning about who those players are that are putting their hands up and really want to be part of it.”

The strength of his squad means he has no qualms asking them to go hard against the champions.

'We've got really good depth in the squad this year, probably the best it's been for a long time. We know we're going to have injuries and that's part of the game because we want to be going 100 percent into contact. So when that happens we'll have full confidence in the other players that need to step up and take their opportunity.”

The team will be without one of their Black Ferns stars, winger Renee Wickliffe who sits out one more week, but expect to get an injection of energy off the bench from the other, livewire flanker Lesley Elder.

Two debutantes make the starting 15, which otherwise has an experienced look about it. The front row of Baye Jacob, Lily Florence, and Ereti Williams boast 42 caps between them, while the loose forward trio of captain Christie Yule, Kendra Reynolds and Kate Henwood have pulled on the blue and gold hoops a total of 44 times.

Renee Holmes is one of the newcomers, but coach Webby expects much from her in a five-eighths combination with Ora Williams, who starts in the 10 jersey.

'Renee and Ora, they'll be our little generals. They'll both share the role of dictating the game and moving us around the park and they fill that role really well. We're pretty fortunate to have two quality young players that can slot into that first receiver role.”

American Emily Magee, playing her club rugby with Rotoiti, is the other debutante on the left wing.

The opportunity to play on a double bill with the Steamers means an early 11:35 kickoff for the Volcanix, but they'll take that in their stride, Brendon says.

'It won't matter to the players as far as preparing goes. They'll prepare for it like any other game.

'It's an awesome opportunity with the double-header. We like to think we're playing a pretty good product and provide something the public want to come and see.

'I know the girls will go out there and give it their best for 80 minutes and do themselves and the Bay of Plenty proud.”

Bay of Plenty Volcanix: (appearances in brackets)

1 Baye Jacob (12), 2 Lily Florence (13), 3 Ereti Williams (17), 4 Mikyla Wardlaw (6), 5 Calli Perrott (5), 6 Christie Yule © (12), 7 Kendra Reynolds (19), 8 Kate Henwood (13), 9 Jade Tuilaepa (4), 10 Ora Williams (7), 11 Emily Magee*, 12 Renee Holmes*, 13 Tania Raharuhi (7), 14 Mystery McLean Kora (9), 15 Sapphire Tapsell (13)

Reserves:

16 Angel Mulu*, 17 Amanda Aldridge (5), 18 Tynealle Fitzgerald*, 19 Les Elder (3), 20 Bree Meyer*, 21 Kororia Heyblom (2), 22 Polly Playle (6)

* debut game

Farah Palmer Cup:

Volcanix v Canterbury

Kick-off 11.35am

Mitre 10 Cup:

Steamers v Canterbury

Kick-off 2.35pm