A slither of ITM Cup playoff hopes and growing confidence is buoying the Bay of Plenty Steamers ahead of their final clash with Waikato in Hamilton tonight.

The two arch rivals and Chiefs neighbours meet in the last chance saloon at Waikato Stadium after somewhat disappointing seasons by both of their standards.

The Steamers might have lodged their second win of the season with last week's 33-16 win against Otago, but it still leaves them bottom of the championship ladder, with fans wondering what might have been.

However, there is a slim mathematical chance of a playoff match if they secure a bonus point win and Southland, North Harbour and Otago's results go their way.

The Mooloos 60-19 mauling at the hands of Auckland also has the Steamers camp sitting with a slight hint of optimism they can knock over their rivals, clinching a premiership scalp in the process.

'The boys have been growing in confidence each week, and to beat a premiership team is always good,” says Steamers coach Kevin Schuler.

Schuler says the side is on high alert to shut down the young attacking combination of Damien McKenzie and Brad Webber, who have formed a potent pairing during the season sparking attacking raids from all over on the field.

'So certainly, if we can get some parody or on top upfront it will take away all of these attacking abilities,” adds Kevin. 'We want to make sure our forwards stand up to them.”

This season the Steamers' engine room has been the major point of difference, with the likes of hooker Joe Royal, lock Tim Bond and flanker Johan Bardoul getting through a power of work each week.

Schuler believes his forwards have produced a dominant set piece right through the campaign and apart from Auckland and Taranaki, no other packs have stood up to their firepower.

But finishing has been the hindrance for the side unable to turn such dominance into wins.

Kevin says: 'We haven't always had the result of being dominant up front. Against Otago, we saw for the first time the direct reward for our set piece dominance.

'They [Waikato] will have Ben Tameifuna back and he's a big strong hard rock to move, but we are confident we can put them under pressure.”

Looking back on the season, Schuler takes heart in the development of young playmakers Dan Hollinshead, Jono Kitto and Te Aihe Toma, who have begun to steer the side around.

Hollinshead, fresh out of Tauranga Boys' College and only a year in to the premier club scene, has been handed the reigns at first five and is beginning to show some authority in the position.

Schuler says there is a slim mathematical chance of a finals berth, and finishing with consecutive wins will ultimately set the tone for what the side can do heading into 2015.

'We have a lot of young guys new to the competition and I think the teams lacking in experience have struggled,” he says.

'The pleasing thing is we are confident we have the right people in the mix and that these guys have a year of ITM Cup and can prepare and come back stronger next year.”

The Steamers face Waikato at Waikato Stadium at 7.35pm tonight, and line-up as follows:

1. Solomona Sakalia
2. Joe Royal
3. Mike Kainga
4. Culum Retallick (c)
5. Tim Bond
6. Johan Bardoul
7. Hamish Gosling
8. Carl Axtens
9. Jono Kitto
10. Dan Hollinshead
11. Siaosi Iongi
12. Doug Edwards
13. Nick Evemy
14. Tino Nemani
15. Byron McGuigan