Steamers happy in new home

By CHRIS RATTUE

There was an occasion at Bay of Plenty rugby practice when Glen Jackson had to untie a pack of dogs, tethered behind the goalposts, so he could get on with his kicking routines.

That was when the Steamers were based at Rotorua International Stadium, a council ground they shared with a variety of other acts. The players often found themselves sharing dressing rooms and the ground with interlopers.

This season, the Steamers have shifted to Mt Maunganui where they will train and play all but one of their home games at the privately owned Baypark speedway venue - named the Western Bay Finance Stadium for rugby purposes.

It's a move which has already won favour with the players, who feel they are finally getting Air New Zealand NPC first division treatment, says coach Vern Cotter.

"This is the first time the players have got a facility they can call their own," he said.

"Rotorua was never really made the Bay Steamers' ground. This place has and the players have adopted it.

"Rotorua didn't always fit with the players. There were always other things on as well.

"Now, if the players have down time, they go to the ground and practise kicking or lineout drills and are made to feel welcome."

Bay of Plenty host North Harbour in the first round tomorrow in another year where they are expected to battle away in the lower half of the table with a team almost bereft of Super 12 players.

In contrast, North Harbour include three test forwards, Troy Flavell, Ron Cribb and Tony Woodcock, who will be bursting to show the national selectors they should still be in the World Cup picture.

Cotter said: "We can't know what's in John Mitchell's head, but if Flavell produces an outstanding season and there was an injury perhaps he would be considered.

"And the same with Cribb and Woodcock."

North Harbour should hold all the aces in the battle up front and will be strongly favoured to take out this first round clash.

Teams:

Bay of Plenty: Damian Kaui, Anthony Tahana, Alan Bunting, Grant McQuoid, Charles Baxter, Glen Jackson, Kevin Senio; Clayton McMillan (capt), Nili Latu, Wayne Ormond, Bernie Upton, Mark Sorenson, Ben Castle, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison.

Res: Ngarimu Simpkins, Taufa'ao Filise, John Moore, Paul Tupai; Nathaniel Walker, Ray McDonald, Apoua Stewart.

North Harbour: Tusi Pisi, Dan Parkinson, Anthony Tuitavake, Scott Adams, Hosea Gear, Luke McAlister, Ben Meyer; Ron Cribb (capt), Craig Newby, Brent Wilson, Greg Rawlinson, Troy Flavell, Peter Bielski, Joe Ward, Tony Woodcock.

Res: Slade McFarland, Mike Noble, Blair Larsen, Matua Parkinson; Chris Smylie, Nick Evans, Rudy Wulf.

Referee: Paddy O'Brien. Kickoff: 2.35pm