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Steelers side named for first home game of the season against Bay of Plenty

Fri, 26 Aug 2016

Steelers coaches Darryl Suasua, Grant Henson and Semo Sititi have named their side to take on the Bay of Plenty Steamers in their first home game of the Mitre 10 Cup season at ECOLight Stadium at 4:35pm this Sunday.

There are seven changes to the starting line-up that narrowly lost to North Harbour in Albany last Thursday. Bombay lock Matiaha Martin comes into the starting side, with Jimmy Tupou moving to blindside flanker and Jordan Taufua shifting to number 7 for the injured Fotu Lokotui. New Zealand Sevens players Augustine Pulu and Sione Molia enter the starting side at halfback and right wing respectively, while Sam Vaka moves into centre and Luteru Laulala gets the start at fullback.

Suasua said it’s great to have Pulu and Molia back from their Rio Olympic Sevens campaign.

“The pair are a great addition to our starting side who will be up against a quality Bay of Plenty outfit. Last week we know we missed some opportunities and we were a bit messy at times, so that has been a real work on for us during the week.

“The boys are really excited to be back at home at ECOLight Stadium and we are determined to get the result we want in front of our home fans.”

This Sunday is Club Day and Junior March Past. The Steelers will be wearing their Club socks and if you wear your Club Colours, you’ll get into the South Auckland Motors Embankment, for free. Gates open at 1:30pm, with the Counties Manukau U19’s taking on BOP U19’s in the Curtain Raiser at 2pm. Tickets & Season Memberships are still available at www.iticket.co.nz OR at the Gate on Game Day. Kids 13 & Under Free to the South Auckland Motors Embankment thanks to Pak 'N' Save Pukekohe.

Steelers team to face BOP:

1. Sean Bagshaw

2. Gafatasi Su’a

3. Kalolo Tuiloma

4. Viliame Rarasea

5. Matiaha Martin

6. Jimmy Tupou ©

7. Jordan Taufua

8. Sootala Fa’aso’o

9. Augustine Pulu ©

10. Piers Francis

11. Sherwin Stowers