A large crowd is expected to be on hand at Moore Park in Katikati on Friday, when the Bay of Plenty Steamers wrap up their ITM Cup preparation, with the last of three pre-season hit outs.

The Steamers XV opponents on the Bay of Plenty border is North Harbour, who should give the Bay side the ideal final fine-tuning before the rigours of the ITM Cup.

This will be the only occasion that the two sides will meet during the season, with the Steamers playing in the ITM Cup top echelon Premiership division and North Harbour contesting the Championship section.

Steamers coaches Kevin Schuler and John Walters are firming up their starting team, after three preparatory hit outs in the last ten days.

One player who has burst onto the Bay of Plenty rep scene this year is Rotoiti loose forward Jesse Acton.

Outstanding form in Baywide premier club rugby has been backed up by top-flight performances in the Steamers pre-season games.

Acton is another of the high quality loose forwards that Bay of Plenty produces season after season.

The other flanker is Super 15 heavyweight Luke Braid with former New Zealand Secondary Schools player Carl Axtens at the back of the scrum.

The 2012 Steamers captaincy has been given to half back Jamie Nutbrown, who returned home last season to pick up where he left off before an overseas sojourn.

Former Queensland Red Mafi Kefu has taken little time to slot into the Steamers set-up and will start in the number 13 jersey, while another newcomer in Kendrick Lynn will begin the encounter as the last line of defence.

Bay of Plenty Steamers XV to play North Harbour at Moore Park Katikati – kick off 2.30pm

1 Greg Pleasants Tate 2 Dan Perrin 3 Tristan Moran 4 Culum Retallick 5 Leon Power 6 Jesse Acton 7 Luke Braid 8 Carl Axtens 9 Jamie Nutbrown (captain) 10 Chris Noakes 11 Lance Macdonald 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Mafi Kefu 14 Jack Wilson 15 Kendrick Lynn

Reserves: John Pareanga, Mike Kainga, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Keepa Mewett, Lewis Hancock, Nick McCashin, Simon Rolleston, Maru Henry, Josh Hall, one to be added.

North Harbour

1 Salesi Manu 2 James Parsons 3 Ben Afeaki 4 Chris Smith 5 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa 6 Glenn Preston 7 Malakai Ravulo 8 Solomon King 9 Bryn Hall 10 Michaels Hobbs 11 Nafi Tuitavake 12 Francis Saili 13 Pita Ahki/Cory Aporo 14 David Raikuna 15 Luke Devcich

Reserves: Manu Leiataua, James Afoa, Filo Paulo, Sam Hayes-Stevenson, Brenton Helleur, Pita Ahki/Cory Aporo, James Semple, Cody Rei, Taione Vea, Alex Woonton.