It is the last throw of the dice for the Bay of Plenty Steamers to avoid premiership relegation when they play Canterbury in their last ITM Cup game of the season on Sunday afternoon.

If Hawkes Bay lift the Ranfurly Shield from Waikato the previous day (or take two bonus points from the match) - the only way the Bay of Plenty team can avoid relegation is to defeat Canterbury on their home patch on Sunday.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers will face Canterbury on Sunday.

While the Steamers face a huge challenge to beat the ITM Cup favourites who are safely in the premiership semi-finals, they only have to look back to last season for inspiration.

In a game that thrilled the home crowd Steamers fans the Bay side defeated the Canterbury visitors, posting a 35-31 victory.

The Steamers have made no excuses during the quick fire ITM Cup season, where the side has experienced a multitude of injuries.

101years of Bay of Plenty rugby history becomes the catalyst for the replacement recruits to quickly bond with the tight nit Steamers unit.

Nathan Harris, who will start in the hookers role for the first time in Christchurch, was originally selected for the Bay Development team and made a seamless transition to the Bay of Plenty first fifteen after first joining the Steamers against Otago.

Matt Clutterbuck, who has become one of the stalwarts of the Bay second fifteen this year was in the Steamers squad that played Tasman last week, with Curtis van der Hayden earning Steamers selection for the first time.

Bay of Plenty Steamers v Canterbury October 14 at Christchurch – kickoff 4.35pm

1 Greg Pleasants Tate 2 Nathan Harris 3 Mike Kainga 4 Keepa Mewett 5 Leon Power 6 Dan Goodwin 7 Tanerau Latimer 8 Carl Axtens 9 Jamie Nutbrown 10 Chris Noakes 11 Jack Wilson 12 Phil Burleigh 13 Kenny Lynn 14 Lance MacDonald 15 Nick McCashin

Reserves: John Pareanga, Tristan Moran, Pingi Tala'apitaga, Matt Clutterbuck, Curtis van der Hayden, Simon Rolleston, Maru Henry

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

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

Bay of Plenty Steamers Record v Canterbury

Played: 31 – Canterbury 21 BOP Steamers 8 Drawn 2

Last Game (2011) BOP Steamers 35 Canterbury 31

Bay of Plenty 2012 Point Scorers

Total Points: Nick McCashin 76 (18 pen, 6 con, 2 tries) Chris Noakes 24 (6 con 4 pen), Lance MacDonald 20, Lelia Masaga 15, Dan Goodwin 15, Tristan Moran 10, Phil Burleigh 10.

Tries: Lance MacDonald 4 tries, Dan Goodwin 3, Lelia Masaga 3, Tristan Moran 2, Phil Burleigh 2, Nick McCashin 2.