The Bay of Plenty coaching team have named their Steamers side to face Auckland at home on Friday night.

Kaleb Trask and Emoni Narawa will play their 15th game for the Steamers this Friday night, earning themselves their Bay of Plenty Steamers blazer.

It will also be a momentous occasion for Keepa Mewett who will run out for his 50th NPC match, having previously played 11 games for Manawatu and on Friday, running out for what will be his 39th game for Bay of Plenty.

The two teams will be playing for the John Drake Boot, named after former All Black and Auckland prop Drake who passed away suddenly in December 2008, says a Bay of Plenty Rugby spokesperson.

"Drake played all his top rugby in Auckland, but had a strong connection to the Bay.

"In 1998, the tighthead prop and his family relocated to Mount Maunganui and fell in love with life in that part of the world."

Auckland currently hold the John Drake Boot after the sides last meet in August 2019 in last seasons Mitre 10 Cup.

Bay of Plenty Toa (Under 19's) will be playing Thames Valley in the curtain raiser game kicking off at 4.30pm.

The curtain raiser game will be live streamed on the Bay of Plenty Rugby Facebook page thanks to Local Gecko Productions.

Tickets are available online by clicking here, with tickets priced from $5* for kids, $10* for students and $20* for adults.

As Bay of Plenty is now in Level 1, there are no COVID restrictions, supporters can simply come along and enjoy some live sport.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Auckland

1. Tevita Mafileo
2. Nathan Vella
3. Jeff Thwaites
4. Kane Le'aupepe
5. Aaron Carroll (C)
6. Zane Kapeli
7. Mitch Karpik
8. Joe Tupe
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
10. Otere Black
11. Chase Tiatia
12. Scott Curry
13. Regan Ware
14. Emoni Narawa*
15. Kaleb Trask*
    
16. Nic Souchon
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Ross Geldenhuys
19. Keepa Mewett**
20. Joe Johnston
21. Leroy Carter
22. Mathew Skipwith-Garland
23. Joe Webber

*Blazer game (15th game)
**50th NPC game

Unavailable due to injury:
Kurt Eklund
Hugh Blake
Sam Dickson

Game Day Details:
Gates open: 4.00pm
Curtain Raiser: Bay of Plenty Toa v Thames Valley, 4.30pm
Bay of Plenty Steamers v Auckland
Friday 2nd October, 7.05pm
International Stadium, Rotorua