Steamers 2019

[Canes4life]

@Snollygoster Isn't Leaupepe (Hurricanes) a Steamer?

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life He'll probably playing at the RWC.

[Stargazer]

The 2019 Steamers squad has been announced:

.

Media release: http://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2019-mitre-10-cup-bay-of-plenty-steamers-squad-announcement/

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Stargazer 3 hookers and 2 props out of the Auckland front row supermarket.

[trooa]

Team looks a lot stronger and more balanced than last year. Must have signed Vella/Eklund thinking Harris was going to be with the AB's, tough slog for the other 3 as they'll try give Harris as much time as possible.
Interested to see how Archie White goes, presuming that is part of the NZ Rugby/Harlequins relationship.

[KiwiPie]

Anyone want to have a guess at the starting XV for Sunday? Not seen any rugby this season so I can't rank a lot of the players.

Alex Ainley could be a good acquisition for a season, we have struggled to retain locks over the years.

[trooa]

@KiwiPie Ross Harris Thwaites Wardlaw Carroll Blake Karpik Papalii Judd Hollinshead Fuatai Garland Webber Narawa Tiatia started last week when they beat Counties 34-0. Be surprised if they change anything. Ainley didn't play last week so not sure where he is in the pecking order.

[Tim]

Thoughts on Wardlaw?

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/front-page-top-stories/news/article.cfm?c_id=698&objectid=12274496

[Stargazer]

Didn't know where else to post this.

[Higgins]

Is that the thing being run by the guy that is the driving force behind the Western Force?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Yep, that's it! Managed to finally find the "Global Rapid Rugby" thread.

If I can find more info on the Steamers' rapid rugby plans, I'll post it in that thread.