Two proud Wellingtonians will be two of the imported players named in the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad on Sunday.
Shahn Eru, 25, and Terrence Hepetema, 23, are settling into the Western Bay after playing stints overseas.
Hepetema, 23, is a powerfully built midfielder who has played for the NSW Waratahs and more recently Leicester Tigers, where his game time was limited due to two knee injuries.
He is eligible to play for England, New Zealand and Australia. He joined the Australian National Academy straight from school and made his name with the powerful Randwick club.
Hepetema went through Man College with his best mate in All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara, who he said played a part in him signing with Bay of Plenty. "He is a big influence and I spoke to him from the UK about coming to the Bay. He said it is a nice place to live and they play a nice style of footy."