Steamers squad one step closer

Rotoiti's Joe Royal scores a try against Whaka.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers squad has been narrowed down for matches against the Chiefs and Harlequins next week.

The Steamers held a trial match in Te Puke on Wednesday and have since narrowed down their squad for matches in Matamata on Tuesday.

Six Rotorua players - Joe Royal, Jesse Acton, Te Rangi Fraser, Doug Edwards, Whaimotu Craft-Chemis and Siegfried Fisiihoi - have been named in the 30-man squad who will represent the Wasps. The format on Tuesday will be three 40-minute halves which will see the Chiefs play the Wasps, Chiefs play the Harlequins, and Wasps play the Harlequins.

The final Steamers squad will be named at the end of the month for the 2014 ITM Cup.

Steamers coach Kevin Schuler said the matches will give players another chance to put their hands up for selection.

"This match will be a key indicator for us.

"The trial was a great opportunity for the players to go head to head internally, and the coming match will be a golden opportunity for some of these players," Schuler said.

"Playing against this opposition will set the bench mark for these young aspiring players."

Players involved in the Wasps trial
Forwards
Joe Duffy (Opotiki), Joe Royal (Rotoiti), Solomona Sakalia (Mount Maunganui), Dave Smart (Mount Maunganui), Siegfried Fisiihoi (Whakarewarewa), Taylor Jones (Greerton Marist), Josh Sole (Mount Maunganui), Keepa Mewett (Tauranga), Beau Williams (Tauranga), Hamish Gosling (Tauranga), David Whitecliffe-Davies (Te Puke), Jesse Acton (Rotoiti), Matt Axtens (Mount Maunganui), Joe Tupe (Greerton).
Backs
Te Aihe Toma (Te Puna), Daiyu Ishimori (Rangataua), Dan Hollinshead (Te Puke), Te Rangi Fraser (Whakarewarewa), Tim O'Malley (Greerton Marist), Paul Morris (Tauranga), Nick Evemy (Tauranga), Doug Edwards (Whakarewarewa), Danny Kayes (Mount Maunganui), Siosi Longi (Rangataua), Elijah Nicholas (Rangiuru), Junior Tofa Va'a (Te Puke), Leroy van Dam (Greerton Marist), Elliot Hagen (Te Puke), Whaimotu Craft-Chemis (Whakarewarewa).
To train as injury cover:
Aiden Ross, Tyrone Lefau