Stars' shock omissions as Steamers name lineup

RUGBY
STEAMING: It's the two big names missing that provide the biggest talking point of the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad named yesterday for the ITM Cup, as sports editor KELLY EXELBY reports.
INTERNATIONAL halfback Junior Poluleuligaga has played his last game for Bay of Plenty and former Super 14 lock Daniel Quate won't even manage that as the covers were removed from the Steamers squad for this season's make-or-break ITM Cup competition.
The pair were glaring omissions yesterday as an expanded Steamers squad for the 14-team national provincial championship, which kicks off on July 29, was named.
Poluleuligaga, who had a huge year for Bay of Plenty in 2009, leading to Super 14 selection for the Chiefs, has been released from the final year of his provincial contract to play in the UK.
That leaves vastly inexperienced Josh Hall as the Steamers' only contracted halfback, with the union desperately searching for a replacement for the Samoan international.
Quate, 30, who previously represented Southland and Hawke's Bay, had a sudden about-face a week ago and will stay in Japan, leaving Bay's lock stocks perilously thin.
Only three locks were named yesterday - Culum Rettalick, John Moore and import Luke Andrews - with Moore an uncertain starter after undergoing two shoulder reconstructions in the off-season.
Steamers head coach Sean Horan referred all comment on Poluleuligaga and Quate's abrupt departures to union chief executive Jeremy Curragh, who denied the union was a soft touch.
Quate got an SOS from his Yamaha club in Japan wanting him back, with Bay of Plenty demanding a transfer fee before they agreed, although finding a ready replacement wouldn't be easy.
"There is potential with the likes of Aidan Kuka and Luke Katene (who both missed the squad), who are going well in club rugby, to still make the final 26 we need to submit to the New Zealand Rugby Union (on July 26), and an option to see what's in the market, although there's not a lot there at this stage of the year."
Poluleuligaga's case was slightly different in that he'd been told he was unlikely to be picked to play Super 15 for a New Zealand franchise next season.
"That changed things dramatically for Junior - his contract with us was up this season, he's probably only got a year or two left in rugby and we considered what was in his best interests.
"We weren't overly happy in either case because of the late notice but quick decisions needed to be made because of overseas cut-off dates. We could have played hard-ball but we weighed it up and, in Junior's case at least, we may have been left with a guy whose head space was on the other side of the world and mentally not with us in a campaign that's critical for us to finish inside the top seven."
Horan and assistant Steve Miln predictably included all six off-season signings - Andrews, All Black wing Lelia Masaga, Highlanders centre Brett Mather, Hawke's Bay and North Otago first-five Dan Waenga and Tasman front-rowers Dan Perrin and Tristan Moran - in the squad, which will be captained by No 8 Colin Bourke.
All Black Mike Delany is included, despite recovering from serious shoulder injury.
Gone from last season's NPC squad are Poluleuligaga, Ted Tauroa, Clinton Toopi, Marcel Cummings-Toone, Josh Olsen, Josh Katene, Matt Vant Leven, Zach Hohneck, Andre Ellison, Nigel Hunt, Zar Lawrence and Wayne Hughson.
Bay of Plenty had to seek dispensation from the New Zealand Rugby Union to include highly rated 18-year-old flanker Sam Cane, who has been cleared to train just about fulltime and play six full games and six half games in the 13-game competition.
Horan, who inherited a team from sacked coach Greg Smith 12 months ago, has set clear goals for the side. "We have to make the top seven but my belief is we've got the players to be finalists. If we play to our potential consistently we can beat anyone."
Bay of Plenty Wasps will play Counties Manukau in Katikati next Wednesday before Steamers face preseason clashes with Taranaki next Friday in Reporoa, Hawke's Bay in Napier on July 16 and Manawatu in Whakatane on July 23.
2010 STEAMERS SQUAD
PROPS: Josh Hohneck (Tauranga Sports), Tristan Moran (Tauranga Sports), Daniel Perrin (Tauranga Sports), James McGougan (Paroa), Joe Savage (Whakarewarewa).
HOOKERS: Daniel Perrin (Tauranga Sports), John Pareanga (Te Puna).
LOCKS: Culum Rettalick (Tauranga Sports), John Moore* (Ngongotaha), Luke Andrews (Te Puke Sports).
NO 8: Colin Bourke (Mt Maunganui).
LOOSE FORWARDS: Luke Braid (Tauranga Sports), Sam Cane (Tauranga Sports), Solomon King (Te Puke Sports), Tanerau Latimer (Rangiuru).
HALFBACK: Josh Hall (Tauranga Sports).
FIRST-FIVES: Dan Waenga (Mt Maunganui), Mike Delany (Mt Maunganui)*, Nick McCashin (Te Puke Sports).
MIDFIELDERS: Brett Mather (Tauranga Sports), Cory Aporo (Mt Maunganui), Grant McQuoid (Mt Maunganui), Phil Burleigh (Tauranga Sports).
OUTSIDE BACKS: Ben Smith (also midfield, Tauranga Sports), Jason Hona (Rangataua), Lance MacDonald (Mt Maunganui), Lelia Masaga (Te Puke Sports), Toby Arnold (Tauranga Sports).
* Currently injured.
Additional players training with squad: Locks Aidan Kuka (Te Puna), Luke Katene (Mt Maunganui), halfback Chad Tuoro (Mt Maunganui).