About 7000 rugby fans are expected to queue along State Highway 2 and State Highway 29 this Sunday as the Bay of Plenty Steamers take on the Hawke's Bay Magpies at ASB BayPark Stadium.

The ITM Cup match is expected to start at 2.35pm but traffic delays in the area are predicted from 11am.

The Steamers versus the Hawke's Bay Magpies game this Sunday is expected to attract about 7000 fans.

The NZ Transport Agency says fans attending the game and other motorists on SH2 travelling from Mount Maunganui should be aware that there have been recent road layout changes at the Te Maunga intersection.

'The changes include the removal of a slip lane which has reduced the number of lanes at the Te Maunga intersection, all right turning traffic must ensure they are in the right hand lane closest to the centreline lane from the Girven Road intersection, to ensure they do not miss the turn off to Baypark Stadium,” a statement from NZTA says.

Motorists are being asked to either avoid the area or to use an alternative route between 11am and 4pm.