After a quick turnaround from last weekend's match-up against Taranaki, the Bay of Plenty Steamers will meet long time opponents Otago in the ITM Cup, Thursday night at the Rotorua International Stadium.

The encounters between the two teams stretch back to 1938.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers will take on Otago at the Rotorua International Stadium.

With the Steamers competing in the Premiership and the South Island side playing in the Championship division – the last time the two teams, met was, at the Rotorua Stadium in 2010 where the Bay side triumphed 40-30.

With the return of Sam Cane from All Black duty, there would be few teams in the ITM Cup that possesses the firepower of the Steamers loose forward trio.

With Cane on one side of the scrum and former All Black Tanerau Latimer on the other side, the opposition are likely to be under siege when the pair chase the ball in tandem.

Wearing the Steamers number eight jersey is another equally explosive loose forward.

Luke Braid who is the equal of the two Bay players on either side of the scrum and the loose three are likely to provide Otago with a multitude of headaches during the encounter.

Steamers right wing Lelia Masaga thrilled the home team fans against Taranaki with a number of bullocking runs.

His touchdown was in the classic Masaga way, pushing his way to the line to dot the ball down for the Steamers first try of the match.

Starting the match after coming off the bench in the Steamers first ITM Cup match is Lance MacDonald.

The former New Zealand Seven player was in good form in the Steamers pre-season hit-outs and scored a try when coming off the bench last weekend.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Otago at the Rotorua International Stadium on Thursday – kick off 7.35pm

1 Tristan Moran 2 Dan Perrin 3 Mike Kainga 4 Culum Retallick 5 Leon Power 6 Tanerau Latimer 7 Sam Cane 8 Luke Braid 9 Jamie Nutbrown (captain) 10 Nick McCashin 11 Lance Macdonald 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Mafi Kefu 14 Lelia Masaga 15 Kenny Lynn.

Reserves: Nathan Harris, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Keepa Mewett, Carl Axtens, Lewis Hancock, Simon Rolleston, Jack Wilson.

Head Coach: Kevin Schuler Assistant Coach: Kevin Walters Manager: Russell Reardon

Physio: Damian Banks Trainer: Tony Burgess Video Analyst: Dean Jennings

Bay of Plenty Steamers Record v Otago (1938-2010)

Played 31: BOP 10 Otago 21

Last Game (2010) BOP 40 Otago 30