BOP v Stags

[KiwiPie]

The Steamers continue their journey south for their mid-week fixture against Southland tomorrow night in Invercargill.

Steamers Coaching Management Clayton McMillan, Rodney Gibbs and David Hill have named a strong experienced side to take on the Southland Stags at Rugby Park.

Aidan Ross, Liam Polwart and Pingi Tala’apitaga will make up the front row. Troy Callander will be joined by Culum Retallick as the starting locking combination, with Shahn Eru moving to the number 19 jersey. Jesse Parete will start at six, with Henry Stowers returning to the bench. Hugh Blake and Joe Tupe will once again start at seven and eight.

Ruki Tipuna and Kelly Haimona will form the starting nine ten combination, with Te Aihe Toma and Dan Hollinshead looking to make an impact off the bench. Second five eight Terrence Hepetema will be joined by Teddy Stanaway at centre. To complete an explosive back line, wingers Regan Ware and Monty Ioane remain unchanged along with fullback Isaac Te Aute.

The team is as follows:

1. Aidan Ross
2. Liam Polwart
3. Pingi Tala'apitaga
4. Troy Callander
5. Culum Retallick ©
6. Jesse Parete
7. Hugh Blake
8. Joe Tupe
9. Ruki Tipuna
10. Kelly Haimona
11. Regan Ware
12. Terrence Hepetema
13. Teddy Stanaway
14. Monty Ioane
15. Isaac Te Aute

Reserves:
16. Joseph Royal
17. Solomona Sakalia
18. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
19. Shahn Eru
20. Henry Stowers
21. Te Aihe Toma
22. Dan Hollinshead
23. Te Rangi Fraser

[Stargazer]

Hollinshead starting at 12, Evemy on the bench at 22.

[KiwiPie]

@Stargazer Damn - both our first choice midfielders have been good this season and now they're both out

[Donsteppa]

Two first fives on the field for us, neither of whom seems to know where the posts are.

[KiwiPie]

13-3 at half-time to the good guys and we've missed 10 points of kicks at goals - may come back to bite us

[ACT Crusader]

Stags playing with most of the ball this half, but mistakes letting them down.

Dixon showing his class at that last breakdown.

The BOP 1st 5 seems intent on kicking the ball to the moon rather than distance

[Donsteppa]

Goal kicking and switching off at the wrong times are killing us.

[ACT Crusader]

That Peni Ravai is a beast. Check the traps on him.

Causing havoc ball in hand.

[Donsteppa]

Fucking fuckity fuck.

[GagaBoy]

Damn! Auckland on Sunday after that... It is adding experience to this squad - that's about all I can say about it. The problem is that next year's squad will be different and we'll be back 'rebuilding'. With the NPC, the time is now.

[Donsteppa]

Doesn't get any better the next day. Still practically speechless about that second half. Perhaps Clayton needs to make his substitutions more carefully... yes there is another game on Sunday, but it's no good saving players for that if it means we then lose on Wednesday.

[GagaBoy]

Reckon Clayton has made a bit of a mess around the last 2 games' selections. Is there too much made of these '3 games in 9 days' routines? F*ck - everyone has to do it!

I know he was targeting the Southland game for the W, but it has all gone a little pear shaped. Maybe we can salvage something against Auckland. Perhaps some of the injured troupe will be available again and will add some fresh legs and spark.