Rugby: Steamers stand-outs super selection

STEPPING UP: Chase Tiatia is one of five Steamers players named in the new Chiefs squad. Photo / File

ITM Cup form sees Bay boys make next step

Chase Tiatia and Siegfried Fisiihoi were wearing the biggest grins when the Gallagher Chiefs squad was named yesterday for the revamped 2016 Investec Super Rugby season.

Two of the standout players for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in this year's ITM Cup were among 14 new faces named by head coach Dave Rennie in a strong squad, packed with talent to provide the necessary depth to cover the inevitable injuries and suspensions.

Bay of Plenty's Johan Bardoul, Sam Cane and Brodie Retallick were also named.

Tiatia, 20, proved to be an elusive runner and showed an eye for the try line during his debut season for the Steamers, after following his former Wellington under-19 coach, Clayton McMillan, to the Bay. Last year he played ITM Cup and in the inaugural winning team of the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament for Wellington.

Fisiihoi, 28, is one of the great characters of the game, who is selected as a prop but is also an accomplished loose forward. The former East Coast rep has blistering pace and quality ball skills. Expect 'Ziggy' to become a crowd favourite once he gets some game time.

Bay of Plenty Rugby CEO Mike Rogers says promoting players to the next level is what they hope to achieve with all of the Steamers players.

"Ziggy has always had that physical prowess and the ability but this year he has really worked hard with our strength and conditioning trainers," Rogers said. "That is demonstrated by what he has achieved in the ITM Cup so for him to go on and get a Super Rugby contract, through good performances at the ITM Cup level, is a perfect outcome for us.

"Chase made a really strong contribution and again it demonstrates opportunity. He has taken full advantage of it, coming up from Wellington, and again highlights why a guy like Mitch Karpik and others have signed for the Bay. Chase has set that platform to show that this is a good environment for people to be successful in.

"It is another really positive outcome for us to show this is a good place to be and we can help individuals get to the next level."

A special member of the Chiefs is Austin Manning, who was named as 41st man. The seven-year-old from St Thomas More Catholic School, Mount Maunganui, suffers from cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheelchair. The Chiefs will be fundraising to assist Austin to get to St Louis in America for an operation that will radically change his and his family's life.

-Visit https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/austinsdreamtowalk to help Austin.