“They did us proud!”

Bay of Plenty rugby fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions on Saturday as the Steamers gave it their all in the Bunnings NPC final in Wellington.

In a gripping battle that extended into the 100th minute, the Steamers fought tirelessly for a chance to reclaim provincial rugby glory for the first time in nearly 50 years. Ultimately, they fell short against the Wellington Lions, who clinched the championship with a final score of 23-20.

 Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

This marked a historic moment for the Bay of Plenty team, being their first appearance in the finals after an outstanding season filled with discipline, resilience, and teamwork. Throughout the tournament, the Steamers demonstrated their capabilities by achieving a clean sweep of the provincial trophies, setting the stage for an unforgettable final.

Their effort in the final has sparked widespread admiration and praise from fans, who are rallying around the team as they look forward to next season.

The excitement among Steamers fans was palpable leading up to the match, with many making the journey to Wellington to support their team.

Bay of Plenty Steamers supporters enjoying a pre-match gathering at Cambridge Hotel, Wellington. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Prior to kick-off, the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union organized a pre-match gathering at Cambridge Hotel, followed by a special supporters’ event in the Level 2 East Lounge of the Sky Stadium.

This sense of community and pride was on display in BOP sports bars and portrayed with a large message lighting up Tauranga City Council’s sign at Tauranga Airport. The council also lit up the Wharf St lights and the Tunks Reserve Pou with blue and yellow lights for the weekend in support of the Steamers.

Despite the earlier rain, wet conditions, and a light swirling breeze, the first half was full of high energy and determination from both sides.

Bay of Plenty Steamers supporters at Sky Stadium. Wellington. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Wellington established a strong presence, taking the lead into halftime with a score of 15-7.

The second half saw the resolute Steamers roll up their sleeves and launch a relentless comeback. Their resilience and tenacity shone through as they fought hard to close the gap. The atmosphere in the stadium intensified as both teams locked horns, showcasing their skills, and refusing to let the other side surpass 20 points.

The match went into extra time, with both teams still neck-and-neck. The determination of the Steamers was evident as they pressed forward, seeking to capitalize on any opportunity.

Bay of Plenty Steamers playing Wellington Lions in the 2024 Bunnings NPC final. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Finally, in the 93rd minute, Wellington broke the deadlock by scoring another three points, taking the lead to 23-20. While the Steamers fought valiantly until the final whistle, they were unable to reclaim the lead, resulting in a heart-wrenching loss.

Back in Bay of Plenty, the atmosphere in local sports bars was electric as fans gathered to support their team at Hennessy’s Irish Bar in Rotorua, Slims Bar in Ōpōtiki, Worlds End at Fraser Cove, and at the Cornerstone, Crown and Badger and Phoenix bars on the Tauranga waterfront.

Bay of Plenty Steamers supporters at The Flying Mullet, Pāpāmoa. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The Flying Mullet Sports Bar in Papamoa was particularly packed, with over 200 fans filling every available space to watch the match.

“Proud doesn’t do justice of how much appreciation I feel right now and how grateful and honoured I am to be lucky enough to witness such an amazing group of BOP Steamers,” wrote Dion Mason to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Facebook page.

“Great season Steamers monumental effort, that final could’ve gone our way just as easy. The Carrus team are very proud. We’ll be back!! GO THE BAY,” wrote Scott Adams.

“They played so well. It was so close,” said avid supporter Phil Mangos, who watched from home.

“They’re a 100-minute team; I thought they’d outlast Wellington because of their fitness and determination. As [Steamers team manager] Wayne Brill said, they’re a tight unit.”

Avid Steamers supporter Phil Mangos. Photo/Supplied.

Mangos thought the two teams were well-matched.

“There was nothing in that game. They both had their chances, backwards and forwards. I saw the change when we lost Joe Johnston; we lost that little edge in that tackle; he was the man, he’s been the man all year.”

“Kirifi and Shields have just got that knowledge, that mana, that steely resolve of ‘we’ve got this’. They never got flustered. Kirifi didn’t even open his mouth to breathe, he just ran everywhere breathing through his nose. This guy’s got some fitness. He’s a great player.”

Mangos said he finds provincial New Zealand rugby far more enjoyable than super rugby.

“The NPC to me is just it. It’s our local players.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Welcome home at Tauranga Airport

As the team returned home, around 20 supporters eagerly awaited their chartered plane at Tauranga Airport. A special welcome sign from Tauranga City Council read, “Tauranga is proud of you BOP Steamers,” a testament to the community’s passionate support.

Young fans, including Kapua Clutterbuck, 5, Duke Clutterbuck, 7, Charlotte Spicer, 8, and Lucy Spicer, 6 expressed their excitement.

“We’re keen rugby fans,” Charlotte said. “We went to see the Steamers at the quarterfinals. Lucy, Duke and I play rugby for Mount Marlins.”

Bay of Plenty Steamer supporters Kapua Clutterbuck, 5, Duke Clutterbuck, 7, Charlotte Spicer, 8, and Lucy Spicer, 6 at Tauranga Airport. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“They’ve done us proud,” said Charlie Harcombe, who had made signs with her friends to share their pride in the Steamers’ efforts.

The team came through the airport quickly before heading on to a private function, pausing to greet the group and apologising for not bringing back the trophy.

The Steamers arriving back at Tauranga Airport on Saturday night. Photo/Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

“It sucks,” said Steamers head coach Richard Watt. “I feel for the boys, losing in such a tough manner. We had our chances, especially in the second half. It was a classic final, and it always comes down to those pivotal moments. Wellington capitalized on a couple of theirs, and we missed some key opportunities.”

“It was tough, I pulled Kurdie [Kurt Ekland] at 70 minutes. I was struggling with that one; he’s my skipper, my leader.

“We had set pieces malfunction a couple of times in that extra time, which was critical in the end.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers captain Kurt Ekland. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Watt said the learning is for a team to finish top in the round robin, so they have the opportunity to secure a home final.

“That loss down there four weeks ago cost us that situation, that extra time loss. If we’d nailed that game, we would have had it.

“That’s the best team in the country, and it’s taken extra time to beat us both times, so we’re not far off it.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Watt said his team was very disciplined this year, holding off on fully celebrating their achievements along the way.

“When we won those trophies normally you celebrate after that game, but we haven’t. I said to the boys, now’s the time, when you get over this loss, let’s just celebrate the year. They deserve it, they’ve been really disciplined this year.

“Once they get over this, they’ll have a few private drinks. I said make sure you celebrate that it was a very successful year, it made a lot of people proud. Now it’s time to enjoy that,"

Bay of Plenty Steamers supporters at Sky Stadium. Wellington. Photo/Stephen Dorrington.

Thoughts on the game

Bay of Plenty rugby historian Brent Drabble watched the final from home in Rotorua and shared his insights.

“It was always going to be an epic final, and the weather dictated conditions. We kicked a bit too much ball away into the wind in the first 40 minutes, which allowed Wellington to gain momentum. In saying that, we managed to stay close, it was only 15-7 at half time.

“And we did blimin’ well to go from behind to going in front, when Emoni scored beside the post.

“I think we got fatigued and everything was in Wellington’s favour for going into extra time. It came down to who scored the most tries - they had scored more than us. And who had won in the round robin? It was them."

Bay of Plenty Steamers playing Wellington Lions in the 2024 Bunnings NPC final. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

“Even though it could have gone either way, everything was still in Wellington’s favour if we couldn’t crack them. In the end, it just got bloody hard, we couldn’t really quite crack them," Drabble said.

“Angus Mabey picked on us a couple of times which I thought were hard calls. He’d been pretty consistent up to the last 10 minutes or so. We had a lineout; we won it, and he said we’d knocked it off. I just couldn’t figure it out. And even when Aiden Ross scored, he scored right down in front of Mabey, but he didn’t know if he’d put it down or not. And he had.

“Mabey’s refereed us 11 times now, and we’ve only won three times. It’s just the way it goes with him."

Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

“They [Steamers] played their hearts out; they did their province proud,” Drabble said.

Drabble also reflected on the need for continuity within the team and coaching staff moving forward.

“If we want to build on what we accomplished this season, it’s essential to keep this group together, including the coach.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.

Drabble thinks the Steamers didn’t have the same energy in the final they’d displayed in some of their earlier NPC games.

“Even like last week when we cracked Canterbury in the second half. But we just couldn’t push on with it today. Probably it was the weather, it was a bit slippery, with conditions like that you can’t get around freely like you can on a dry ground without the risk of making mistakes.

“If we could have kept Savea out for at least one of those two tries, it would have been a lot closer.

“Wellington were getting worn out too but when everything is going their way, it’s hard to break them down. And in the end, we just ran out of gas.”

“I think Wattie’s done well, I’ve been really impressed with him. They’ve done us proud getting to the finals. We’ve been where we’ve never been before.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers supporters at Hennessy’s Irish Bar in Rotorua. Photo/Supplied.

With Wellington celebrating their sixth national title, the competition in New Zealand rugby remains fierce. However, the Bay of Plenty Steamers have cemented their place as a formidable force and have captured the hearts of fans across the region.

As supporters gear up for next season, the sense of community and pride that the Steamers have fostered will undoubtedly propel them forward.

“Out of all the unions in New Zealand we are now second and before the final we were fourth,” Drabble said.

“The Steamers have done us proud.”

Bay of Plenty Steamers lost the Bunnings NPC final to Wellington 23-20 on October 26, 2024. Photo/Bay of Plenty Rugby Union.