Provincial Rugby squad announcements are always an exciting time of year as Club Rugby competitions wind up and we get to see which players have done enough to be recognised with selection into their provincial teams.
 
Steamers Head Coach Richard Watt has announced his first squad for the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC which includes eight new caps.
 
“We have some exciting talent that we have worked hard with over the last two years to bring through to the point where we have confidence in their ability to perform at the provincial level," says Richard.

The squad assembled this week as they build towards their opening match against Auckland at Tauranga Domain on Sunday, August 6.
 
“I’m really pleased how the new coaching group has come together. James Porter, Pingi Tala'apitaga and myself are working well together and over the last few days having the boys in camp, we are making good progress."
 
Pre-season starts this weekend with the Chiefs Cup being contested between Taranaki, Counties Manukau, Waikato and Bay of Plenty in Te Awamutu.

Bay of Plenty play Taranaki in the first game and depending on the result will play either Waikato and Counties in a winner v winner and loser v loser format.
 
The following week Bay of Plenty will play Manawatu at Delany Park in Taupo in their last build up before the opening competition match.  Friday, July  28at 12.30pm
 
The draw for the Steamers 2023 NPC season can be found here.

General admission, season memberships and VIP Hospitality tickets for all home games are on sale now https://boprugby.flicket.co.nz/
 
Continuing their support of the Steamers are Three Dukes Homes,  Craigs Investment Partners, Carrus, Bartercard and i-Line

2023 Bay of Plenty Steamers squad   
Aidan Ross (Te Puke Sports)
Alex Johnston (Te Puke Sports) *
Benet Kumeroa (Rangiuru)
Carlos Price (Mount Maunganui) *
Codemeru Vai (Judea) *
Cole Forbes (Te Puke Sports)
Emoni Narawa (Tauranga Sports)
Etonia Waqa (Te Puna)
Fehi Fineanganofo (Judea) *
Funahashi Ryosuke (Mount Maunganui) *
Jeff Thwaites (Te Puna)
John Afoa (Katikati) *
Josh Bartlett (Tauranga Sports)
Justin Sangster (Te Puna)
Kaleb Trask (Tauranga Sports)
Kurt Eklund (Mount Maunganui) - Captain
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Greerton Marist)
Leroy Carter (Tauranga Sports)
Lucas Cashmore (Tauranga Sports)
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Mount Maunganui)
Melani Nanai (Mount Maunganui)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Whakarewarewa)
Nathan Vella (Mount Maunganui)
Ngarohi Mcgarvey-Black (Ruatoki Sports Club) *
Nikora Broughton (Rangiuru)
Pasilio Tosi (Greerton Marist)
Penitoa Finau (Greerton Marist)
Richard Judd (Mount Maunganui)
Roderick Solo (Mount Maunganui)
Sam Cane (Reporoa)
Seamus Bardoul (Tauranga Sports)
Sekuini Tanimo (Greerton Marist)
Semisi Paea (Ngongotaha)
Taine Kolose (Rangiuru) *
Tamiro Armstrong (Tauranga Sports)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Rotoiti)
Veveni Lasaqa (Greerton Marist)
Wharenui Hawera (Judea)

* Steamers debut

2023 Bay of Plenty Steamers Management Group    
Head Coach: Richard Watt
Assistant Coach:  James Porter
Assistant Coach: Pingi Tala'apitaga
Manager: Wayne Brill
Head Strength & Conditioning: Scott Joblin
Assistant Strength & Conditioning: Te Manawa Ngawhika
Head Physio: Simon Robins
Assistant Physio: Brandon Olsen
Doctor: Dr Sophie Thomas
Analyst: Brad Morgan
Performance Analyst: Tom Martin

Bay of Plenty Steamers 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Draw

Round One: Steamers v Auckland, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Sunday 6 August, 2.05pm

Round Two: Steamers v Waikato, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Saturday 12 August, 2.05pm

Round Three: Counties Manukau v Steamers, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, Friday 18 August, 7.05pm

Round Four: Taranaki v Steamers, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, Saturday 26 August, 4.35pm

Round Five: Steamers v Otago, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, Saturday 2 September, 2.05pm

Round Six: Hawke’s Bay v Steamers, McLean Park, Napier, Saturday 9 September, 4.35pm

Round Seven: Steamers v Wellington, Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua, Sunday 17 September, 2.05pm

Round Eight: Northland v Steamers, Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei, Friday 22 September, 7.05pm

                        Southland v Steamers, Rugby Park, Invercargill, Wednesday 27 September, 7.05pm

Round Nine: Steamers v Tasman, Tauranga Domain, Tauranga, Sunday 1 October, 2.05pm

Quarter Finals: 6-8 October

Semi-Finals: 13-14 October

Grand Final: Saturday 21 October