Bay of Plenty Steamers squad announced

The Bay of Plenty Steamers management have announced their 2017 Mitre 10 Cup squad for the upcoming season.  

Head Coach Clayton McMillan believes they have assembled a versatile and exciting 33 man squad mixed with a worthy blend of enthusiastic debutants and experience with 24 capped players including 11 super rugby players.  

There are 26 players returning to the Bay of Plenty Steamers who include centurion Culum Retallick and former All Black Mike Delany.

Delany has played 61 matches for the Bay of Plenty Steamers, last appearing for the side in 2010.  

Seven new players will join the Bay of Plenty Steamers with nine players expecting to make their debut in the Blue and Gold hoops.

Expected debutants include hard-working Canadian forward Tyler Ardron, Opotiki local and Highlanders lock Tom Franklin, Mount Maunganui Sport's Richard Judd and Liam Steel, Whakarewarewa's James Lay and the exciting young talent in Tauranga Sports' number eight Ajay Lafaele-Mua and Greerton Marist's fullback Bailey Simonsson.

Returning players Chiefs' Mitchel Karpik and Manu Samoa's Jordan Lay will also expect to debut after both being side-lined last year with knee injuries.  

In addition to the 33 named in the 2017 Bay of Plenty Steamers Squad, eight players have been called in to assist during the pre-season campaign as cover for returning Super Rugby players and injury cover. 

These players include Rotoiti's Captain Bayden Wardlaw, Paroa's blindside flanker Mone Funaki, Greerton Marist's illusive number eight Savelio Ropati, Arataki's first five eight Reece Macdonald, Whakarewarewa's talented centre Matt Garland, Greerton Marist's backline duo of Atu and Luke Masirewa and All Blacks Sevens representative Joe Webber.

These players will be available for selection for the upcoming Bay of Plenty Pro 4 Series.  

2017 Bay of Plenty Steamers Squad: Hookers: Nathan Harris – Te Puke Sports (26), Liam Polwart (6) – Greerton Marist, James O'Reilly – Te Puke Sports (9), Sabastian Siataga – Mount Maunganui (9)  

Props: Siegfried Fisi'ihoi – Rotoiti (28), James Lay* – Whakarewarewa,  Jordan Lay* – Whakarewarewa, Aidan Ross – Te Puke Sports (14), Solomona Sakalia – Mount Maunganui (28), Jeff Thwaites – Te Puna (11)  

Locks: Troy Callander – Greerton Marist (12), Tom Franklin* – Opotiki, Keepa Mewett – Tauranga Sports (24), Culum Retallick – Tauranga Sports (103)  

Loose Forwards: Tyler Ardron* - Papamoa, Hugh Blake* – Te Puke Sports (8), Sam Cane – Tauranga Sports (19), Mitchell Karpik* – Rangataua, Ajay Lafaele-Mua* - Tauranga Sports, Jesse Parete – Rangataua (10), Henry Stowers – Arataki (10)  

Half backs: Luke Campbell – Te Puke Sports (4), Richard Judd* – Mount Maunganui Sports  

First five-eights: Mike Delany – Mount Maunganui Sports (61), Kelly Haimona – Whakarewarewa (25)  

Midfield backs: Lalakai Foketi – Rangataua (18), Terrence Hepetema – Te Puna (7), Liam Steel* – Mount Maunganui Sports  

Outside backs: Monty Ioane – Greerton Marist (11), Elijah Nicholas – Te Puna (7), Bailey Simonsson* – Greerton Marist, Chase Tiatia – Rangataua (14), Isaac Te Aute – Mount Maunganui (11)   Lars Morrice – Te Puke Sports not considered due to injury.  

Steamers Management: Head Coach: Clayton McMillan Assistant Coach: Rodney Gibbs Assistant Coach: David Hill Campaign Manager: Wayne Brill Operations Manager: Brett Johnson Strength and Conditioning Trainer: Brad Mayo Physiotherapist: Craig Newland Doctor: Ebrahim Solomon Video Analyst: Mark Roberts  

*Denotes Steamers debut () Denotes Steamers caps