On September 19, 2021, the Bay of Plenty Steamers were just two minutes away from claiming the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 2004.

However, their opponents, Hawke's Bay had other ideas. Magpies flyhalf Tiann Falcon broke Bay of Plenty hearts with two clutch back-to-back penalty kicks.

The first was during the last play of the game to level the match. The second was to win the game in overtime.

One year on, the two sides meet again at the Tauranga Domain for the Steamers' most formidable challenge yet.

"Last year's Shield game was a great spectacle and a tough loss by the barest of margins," says head coach Mike Delany.

"That being said, our focus as a team is on improving game by game and getting to where we want to be. We are proud of what we have achieved so far this season. We will look to continue the forward momentum this Saturday.”

The Steamers currently sit third in the Odds Conference. Last week's bonus point victory over Southland propels them ahead of fourth-placed Hawke's Bay, who went down 12-19 to Wellington.

Steamers stalwart Aidan Ross will make his 50th appearance for the blue and gold this weekend, an achievement only realised by an elite list of players in the province's long history.

Meanwhile, Justin Sangster, Haereiti Hetet, and Lalomilo Lalomilo will all play their 15th game for the Steamers and be awarded their blazer.

"It's great to see those guys get their blazers. Hopefully, they can one day become like Rossy and get to 50 games as well.

"As for Aidan, what a milestone. A true Bay man, he loves this team, and although we'd love to see him back in an All Black jersey, we'll take him any day of the week to sport the blue and gold. Hopefully, he is around for a few more!"

Both teams will play for the Macrae-Shelford Bay Cup, honouring Ian Macrae and Frank Shelford - two stalwarts of the game who played for the All Blacks and both provinces.

Macrae played seven matches for Bay of Plenty in 1962 before heading to Hawke's Bay to see out his rugby career, playing a further 85 matches between 1963 and 1971.

He also played 45 matches for the All Blacks between 1966 and 1970.

Shelford pulled on the Bay of Plenty jersey 121 times between 1977 and 1987, however he wore the Hawke's Bay black and white hoops in 1983 for 12 games before returning to the Bay of Plenty to finish his playing career.

Shelford played 22 matches for the All Blacks in the early 1980s.

Gates open from 11.00am with the Bay of Plenty FMG/Farmlands Rural U18 XV playing the Hawke's Bay FMG/Farmlands Rural U18 XV in the curtain raiser.

For supporters who purchase an adult ticket online, they can get a child ticket for free with tickets available to purchase online here.

Bay of Plenty Round 8 Team vs Hawke's Bay

1. Aidan Ross**
2. Kurt Eklund (C)
3. Tevita Mafileo
4. Justin Sangster*
5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit
6. Naitoa Ah Kuoi
7. Jacob Norris
8. Nikora Broughton
9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi
10. Kaleb Trask
11. Nigel Ah Wong
12. Inga Finau
13. Joey Walton
14. Emoni Narawa
15. Gillies Kaka
    
16. Anaru Rangi
17. Haereiti Hetet*
18. Pasilio Tosi
19. Zane Kapeli
20. Penitoa Finau
21. Luke Donaldson
22. Wharenui Hawera
23. Lalomilo Lalomilo*

*Blazer Game (15^th Game)
**50^th Steamers Game

Unavailable due to Injury:
Melani Nanai
Kitiona Vai
Jamie Dobie

All Black 7's:
Roderick Solo

All Blacks:
Sam Cane

Game Day Details
Bay of Plenty Steamers vs Hawke's Bay,
Saturday 24 September, 12pm kick-off
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga
LIVE on Sky Sport 1 (channel 051)