Bay of Plenty rugby has received a massive lift with the return of stalwart Steamer and five-test All Black Tanerau Latimer for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup.

French club Bayonne was the last stop for Tanerau in a career that has taken the Bay native to the Crusaders, Chiefs, and Toshiba in Japan before deciding it was time to bring his young family back to the province he left in 2013.

'I think home is always a big pulling force here,” he says.

'We've been overseas for four years and we weren't looking to stay too much longer. We came back in the off season and watching our boys they loved it that much that they didn't want to go back, so that made the decision really.”

The experience the 79-cap Steamer will bring back to his hometown team will be crucial as they look to go one better than last year and not just make the Mitre 10 Cup Championship final but win it, and earn promotion back to the Premiership tier.

After debuting for the Bay in 2004 the then 17 year old made the All Blacks Sevens team while still at Tauranga Boys' College. The Crusaders handed him his Super Rugby debut in 2006, then in 2007 he moved to the Chiefs where he played 108 matches before heading to Toshiba.

Tanerau is excited about the season ahead and has relished returning to the familiar training regime.

'I've been training for six weeks now – I've loved it and enjoyed it. It's gone back to where it all started. Up at 5am to come in for a gym session, then off to work and back again to training in the evening. It's been a great experience and very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to the season ahead.”

Steamers Head Coach Clayton McMillan believes the 32 year old's experience will bring huge benefits for the squad, particularly for the younger members.

'It's fantastic to be able to bring a player of Tanerau's stature in the game back to Bay of Plenty. With the player age becoming younger and younger across all levels of the game, players with proven leadership and experience become a valued commodity.

"I have no doubt Tanerau will add considerable value to the team through his own performance, driving high standards both on and off the field, and helping us develop good young men.”