The Bay of Plenty Steamers complete their regular season this weekend as they travel over the Kaimai range to play Waikato on Sunday for their final Bunnings Warehouse NPC round-robin game.

Despite losing their previous match in the last play of the game to Northland, Bay of Plenty have secured their ticket to the play-offs but will aim to walk away with a win which would secure them a home quarter-final.

"We are disappointed to lose in the way that we did vs Northland, and we know we can play better than that. There were some positives for us however, in terms of giving our younger players an opportunity to play high level rugby which will help grow our up-and-coming talent," says Head Coach Mike Delany.

"Waikato has been right there with us all year and they are always a tough side to beat at home. We have prepared well and have every intention of walking away with a victory."

The team list for Sunday sees the return of Steamers' heavy artillery talent whose performances have been the catalyst to the Bay's regular season success to date.

The red-hot Emoni Narawa returns to the right wing while Kaleb Trask and Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi slot back into the halves. In the forwards, Kurt Eklund, Aidan Ross and Tevita Mafileo pack down the front row while Justin Sangster and Manaaki Selby-Rickit again form the locking unit.

Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Waikato are all confirmed playoff teams while Hawke's Bay and Otago will battle it out for the 4th position.

In the Evens conference, Canterbury sits well in front on 41 points with North Harbour, Auckland, and Tasman trailing behind to make up the current top 4.

Sunday's match will also feature a new challenge trophy between the two NPC sides, playing for the Nathan Strongman Memorial Trophy.

The curtain raiser game will be a Waikato Invitational XV taking on a Bay of Plenty Invitational XV starting at 2pm. The match is dedicated to Nathan Strongman for his 13 years of service to his beloved Fraser Tech Rugby Club and the 40 caps he accumulated while playing for Bay of Plenty at provincial level. Strongman was a proud provincial rugby player for both regions and sadly passed away back in 2020.

Gates open at 1.30 pm Sunday afternoon with tickets available online for purchase here. For those who can't travel, the game will be broadcast Live on Sky Sport Channel 51.

Bay of Plenty Steamers Round 10 Team vs Waikato

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. Nic Souchon
17. Haereiti Hetet
18. Jeff Thwaites
19. Veveni Lasaqa
20. Kane Kapeli
21. Leroy Carter
22. Wharenui Hawera
​​​​​​​23. Lalomilo Lalomilo

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 Waikato
Sunday, 2nd October, 4.35pm
FMG Stadium, Hamilton
LIVE on Sky Sport 1 (channel 051)