Bay of Plenty Steamers fans have their first home game this Saturday when ‘Our Team' runs onto Baypark Stadium at Mount Maunganui to face North Harbour.

Steamers assistant coach Paul Feeney is excited about the occasion.

Crowds at Steamers games held at Baypark were small in 2010 owing to torrid wet conditions. Better crowds are hoped for this year.

'The Steamers always relish playing at home, and are extremely comfortable and relaxed playing in front of family and friends at Baypark,” says Paul.

'The familiar surroundings at Baypark are a big plus with the added advantage of not having to sit around in hotel rooms when on the road.

'The Steamers recognise that it is a big game in front of their fans and won't be taking the challenge from the visitors lightly.

'North Harbour proved in last Monday night's game when they beat Tasman that they are extremely dangerous when they hold onto the ball and that they have six or seven ball runners that could make life difficult for the Steamers.”

With three games in eight days, Steamers head coach Season Horan has made several changes to the starting XV.

The first is the introduction of dynamic loose forward Luke Braid, who will pull on the blue and gold uniform for the first time this season.

Another to make his 2011 Steamers entrance is Ben Smith, who will start in the number 11 jersey, with Jason Hona moving into second five.

Lock Leon Power will start with Culum Retallick for the first time.

Retallick achieved a notable milestone last weekend against Counties Manukau, registering his 50th game in the blue and gold strip.

Halfbacks Taniela Moa and Jamie Nutbrown have reversed roles from last week, with Moa starting the game for the first time this season.

Another notable player to start the game, is wily prop Bronson Murray who has a multitude of NPC experience.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v North Harbour @ Baypark, Mount Maunganui July 23, kickoff 5.35pm.

1 Bronson Murray 2 John Pareanga 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Leon Power 5 Culum Retallick 6 Luke Braid 7 Sam Cane 8 Colin Bourke (captain) 9 Taniela Moa 10 Chris Noakes 11 Ben Smith 12 Jason Hona 13 Phil Burleigh 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Toby Arnold.

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Pingi Taiaapitaga/Tristan Moran, Leighton Price, Carl Axtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Waenga, Lance MacDonald. Greg Pleasants Tate.

Coach: Sean Horan

Assistant Coach: Paul Feeney

Manager: Ross Everiss

Physios: Damian Banks & Paul Cameron

Doctor: Morne du Plessis

F&C Coach: Murray Pedersen

Analyst: Dean Jennings.

Bay of Steamers 2011 ITM Cup Schedule

17 July – BOP Steamers 20 Counties Manukau 13

23 July (Saturday) v North Harbour @ BayPark, Mount Maunganui

26 July (Tuesday) v Waikato @ Rotorua International Stadium

31 July (Sunday) v Wellington @ BayPark, Mount Maunganui

4 August (Thursday) v Northland @ Whangarei

9 August (Tuesday) v Taranaki @ New Plymouth

13 August (Saturday) v Hawkes Bay @ Rotorua International Stadium

20 August (Saturday) v Auckland @ Eden Park, Auckland

23 August (Tuesday) v Canterbury @ BayPark, Mount Maunganui

28 August (Sunday) v Southland @ Invercargill