News

Hooker Penisoni Fineanganofo will make his PIC Steelers debut on Sunday when Reon Graham’s side travels to Tauranga to face Bay of Plenty.

The Karaka front-rower gets his first opportunity of the NPC season as Graham has been forced into some changes and made some tweaks to his line-up for a crucial game against the in-form Steamers outfit.

All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala is available for the PIC Steelers again and has been named on the bench but Dalton Papalii and Hoskins Sotutu are back on international duty this week.

Injuries have seen brilliant fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo miss this game while stand-in skipper Sean Reidy is out as well.

Skipper Sekope Kepu comes back into the side this week and will captain the team.

Moana Paskifa forward Alex McRobbie returns at blindside flanker while Setefano Leavasa is promoted to the starting side at number eight.

Amanaki Savieti gets his first game of the season after being named at second-five while Jared Page moves to fullback to cover Nanai-Seturo and youngster Tevita Ofa gets his first start on the wing.

Centre Nikolai Foliaki will play his blazer match.

Halfback Jonathan Taumateine is named on the bench for his first game of the season after successfully turning out for the Bayleys Counties Manukau Bs last weekend while Nua Soti will make his PIC Steelers debut off the bench.

Tickets from steelers.flicket.co.nz.

PIC Steelers v Bay of Plenty: 1. Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2. Penisoni Fineanganofo, 3. Sekope Kepu (capt), 4. William Furniss, 5. Samuel Slade, 6. Alex McRobbie, 7. Adam Brash, 8. Setefano Leavasa, 9. Cameron Roigard, 10. Riley Hohepa, 11. Peniasi Malimali, 12. Amanaki Savieti, 13. Nikolai Foliaki, 14. Tevita Ofa, 15. Jared Page. Reserves: 16. Zuriel Togiatama, 17. Nepo Laulala, 18. Mark Royal, 19. Jadin Kingi, 20. Sam Tuifua, 21. Jonathan Taumateine, 22. AJ Alatimu, 23. Nua Soti.