There is no bigger rivalry for Bay of Plenty than their rugby match-ups with close neighbours Waikato, and tomorrow night the hostilities will resume in their ITM match in Hamilton.
After meeting the Mooloo men, Bay of Plenty face a quick turn around against Auckland in Rotorua on Friday night in what shapes as a season-defining week for the Steamers.
Bay of Plenty must take some points from both encounters to keep their ITM Cup semifinal aspirations alive.
There are few players in the annual fixture that will know Waikato Stadium better than Steamers captain Tanerau Latimer.
The Te Puke-born loose forward has played more than 70 games for the Hamilton-based Chiefs at Super Rugby level and will hunt in tandem with fellow Steamers flanker Luke Braid tomorrow.
The Waikato fixture marks a special milestone for Braid who will be playing his 50th match for Bay of Plenty.
Bay of Plenty have made three changes to the starting XV from the side that lost 47-13 to Counties Manukau on Friday night.
Josh Hohneck takes up the tighthead prop position while Josh Hall will start at halfback, with lock Leon Power returning to the side after missing the last game because of a minor injury.
Bay of Plenty: Kenny Lynn, Lelia Masaga, Phil Burleigh, Mafi Kefu, Lance MacDonald, Nick McCashin, Josh Hall, Carl Axtens, Luke Braid, Tanerau Latimer, Leon Power, Culum Retallick, Josh Hohneck, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran. Reserves: Nathan Harris/John Pareanga, Mike Kainga, Dan Goodwin, Jesse Acton, Lewis Hancock, Simon Rolleston, Jack Wilson
