The Bay of Plenty Steamers are sure to have huge motivation to bring a fitting climax to the formal celebrations of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union's centennial this Saturday.

Lelia Masaga and Toby Arnold lead the ITM Cup try scoring tally with five touchdowns a piece.

A large number of Bay of Plenty rugby representatives, along with former administrators, management and current fans are to descend on Rotorua this weekend to take part in the formal centenary celebrations of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

The ITM Cup game against Hawke's Bay on Saturday, which will follow the formal luncheon, will be attended by many of the former Bay of Plenty players, who have brought glory and honour to the blue and gold jersey in the last 100 years.

Over the years the Bay of Plenty representative team has provided a myriad of highlights for their supporters.

In 1976, the Bay of Plenty team took out the inaugural National Provincial Championship, during 1982 the Bay side walloped the Wallabies at the Rotorua International Stadium and few will forget the 2004 team which held aloft the Ranfurly Shield in triumph.

It is appropriate that the formal centenary celebrations on Saturday should conclude with a match-up against long time rivals Hawke's Bay.

Bay of Plenty has played Hawke's Bay on 40 occasions since 1922 with Bay of Plenty taking out 25, Hawke's Bay 14, with one match drawn.

The two bonus points from the Taranaki game and results during the week will see the Steamers enter the clash with Hawke's Bay still three points clear on the ITM Cup Premiership.

No game will be more important to win than this weekend's encounter for the Steamers in their quest to win to win the ITM Cup Premiership.

Victory will continue the Steamers' grip on the top spot of the premiership points ledger with defeat sending the team back to the drawing board for the three remaining rounds.

Testament to the scoring ability of the Steamers out wide is provided by two of the team sitting top equal in the ITM Cup try scoring stakes.

Two tries in two minutes in New Plymouth showcased the dazzling skills of Lelia Masaga and took his season try tally to five.

New Zealand Sevens player Toby Arnold, who is a finisher of real ability from fullback, also sits on five touchdowns for the season.

Steamers v Hawkes Bay, August 13 at Rotorua International Stadium (kick-off 5.35pm)

1 Tristan Moran 2 John Pareanga 3 Josh Hohneck 4 Luke Andrews 5 Culum Retallick/Leon Power 6 Tanerau Latimer 7 Luke Braid 8 Colin Bourke (captain) 9 Jamie Nutbrown 10 Dan Waenga 11 Jason Hona 12 Steve Kefu 13 Phil Burleigh 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Toby Arnold.

Reserves: Dan Perrin, Pingi Talaapitaga/Greg Pleasants Tate, Leon Power/Leighton Price, Sam Cane, Josh Hall, Chris Noakes, Lance MacDonald, Bronson Murray.

Coach: Sean Horan

Assistant Coach: Paul Feeney

Manager: Ross Everiss

Physios: Damian Banks & Paul Cameron

F&C Coach: Murray Pedersen

Analyst: Dean Jennings

Technical Assistant: Wayne Ormond.

Bay of Steamers 2011 ITM Cup Schedule

17 July – BOP Steamers 20 Counties Manukau 13

23 July – BOP Steamers 38 North Harbour 17

26 July – BOP Steamers 36 Waikato 8

31 July – BOP Steamers 32 Wellington 0

4 August – Northland 30 BOP Steamers 23

9 August – Taranaki 39 BOP Steamers 33

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