The Bay of Plenty Steamers' faint hope of making a late dash for the ITM Cup playoffs gets underway tonight as the team faces the Northland Taniwha in their second home game at ASB Baypark.

With three rounds remaining the side must add to their solitary win, starting tonight, if they are going to turn around what is a disappointing season so far.

Bay of Plenty Steamer Siaosi Iongi looks to make a break against Auckland. Photo: Rick Moran.

Last week's 36-17 defeat to Hawke's Bay, the Steamers first Ranfurly Shield challenge in nine years, leaves the side tied with North Harbour on seven competition points at the bottom of the championship ladder.

The Bay do have a game in hand after North Harbour beat premiership heavyweights Canterbury 28-24 last night.

The only team accumulating less competition points this season is premiership side Wellington with two, remaining winless.

Steamers coach Kevin Schuler has made four changes to the side with prop Mike Kainga coming in for Pingi Tala'apitanga, the sole change to the forward pack.

Halfback Samisoni Fisilau replaces Jono Kitto, Dan Hollinshead gets another start in the NO. 10 jersey in place of Te Aihe Toma and Siaosi Iongi lining up on the wing in place of the suspended Tino Nemani.

Nemani was sent off for a dangerous charge in the 77th minute of his team's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke's Bay at McLean Park on Saturday.

In front of Judicial Officer Nigel Hampton QC this week the winger was handed down a two week bam for the incident.

Nigel accepts Nemani's action was not deliberate or intentional and that, fortunately, the tackle did not affect the Hawke's Bay player.

He also notes Nemani's remorse and full acceptance of the part he played in the tackle.

This leaves Nemani out of all rugby up to and including October 5. He is next available for Bay of Plenty's Week 9 match against Waikato at Waikato Stadium on October 9.

After tonight's match the Steamers will face Otago at ASB Baypark on October 4 at 5.35pm before a final round clash with Waikato in Hamilton.

Bay of Plenty Steamers side to face Northland at ASB Baypark 7.35pm:

1. Solomona Sakalia
2. Joe Royal
3. Mike Kainga
4. Culum Retallick
5. Tim Bond
6. Johan Bardoul
7. Hamish Gosling
8. Carl Axtens
9. Samisoni Fisilau
10. Dan Hollinshead
11. Siaosi Iongi
12. Doug Edwards
13. Nick Evemy
14. Junior Tofa Va'a
15. Byron McGuigan
16. Vyron Smith
17. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
18. Jesse Acton
19. David Whitecliffe-Davies
20. Jono Kitto
21. Kimami Sitauti
22. Leroy van Dam