Bay of Plenty Steamers
Encyclopedia
| Steamers | |
|---|---|
| Governing Body | Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Bay of Plenty Rugby Union The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body for rugby union in the Bay of Plenty, in the North-East of the North Island... |
| League | ITM Cup |
| Head Coach | Sean Horan |
| Captain | Colin Bourke |
| Latest Placing | 3rd (2011) |
The Bay of Plenty Steamers are the top representative team under the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union
The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is the official governing body for rugby union in the Bay of Plenty, in the North-East of the North Island...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. They compete in the ITM Cup. They have a total of 20 All Blacks, the latest being Tanerau Latimer
Tanerau Latimer
Tanerau Dylan Latimer is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who plays for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and the Bay of Plenty in the Air New Zealand Cup.-Super Rugby:...
in 2009. They are coached by Sean Horan.
Current squad
History
Bay of Plenty is a proud rugby union that has contributed richly to the long and distinguished history of the game in New Zealand. The union who were the inaugural winners of the NPC in 1976 and have experienced equal measures of agony and ecstasy throughout its history.Representative players
Bay of Plenty based players were amongst the most prominent in the formative years of the game, but it was not until 1911 that the Bay of Plenty union was fully affiliated to the national body. Up until this time the BOP union was included within the South Auckland union boundaries. The union achieved its first national representation when A.L. McLean was selected for the All Blacks in 1921. McLean was the first of 16 men who have represented New Zealand while wearing the blue and gold hoops, Tanerau Latimer has been the latest to represent the Steamers at international level with a selection for the 2009 Iveco Series. As the heartland of Maori rugby the region has produced a large number of Maori All Blacks.Bay of Plenty and major matches
Bay of Plenty has a proud history of rising to the occasion for major matches, on many occasions, often as part of combined teams in the first half of the 20th century, the Bay has pushed touring teams to the limit in memorable encounters that have ranked as the toughest provincial matches on tour. Although often gallant in defeat the Bay has also recorded some memorable victories over stronger opposition - the 1982 WallabiesAustralia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
were thrashed by 40-16 in Rotorua a week after having defeated the All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, and again in 1990 the same nation was lowered 12-4.
Ranfurly Shield
Bay of Plenty has also challenged many times for the Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
. Most Bay supporters can recall a number of heart stopping games where the Bay were unlucky or 'robbed' of the chance of victory.
Late NPC
Bay of Plenty also has distinction of being the first side to ever win the NPCNational Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
when it triumphed in 1976. From the heights of '76 came the depths of 1977 with relegation to the second division, but came straight back up the following year. Fortunes fluctuated until 1991 when defeat by King Country
King Country Rugby Football Union
The King Country Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located in the central North Island of New Zealand...
sent the Bay back to Division II where it remained until the 2000 season. The Steamers defeated second division rivals Nelson Bays
Nelson Bays Rugby Union
Nelson Bays Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played from 1968-2005.Nelson Bays was founded in 1968 when Nelson merged with Golden Bay-Motueka and played until 2005 when they joined with Marlborough to become Tasman Rugby Union in 2006....
in a titanic final at the Tauranga Domain in late October 2000, and returned to the top division for the first time in ten years.
The 2002 season was a roller coaster ride for the Steamers, as they battled to retain first division status 25 years on from the glory of the first NPC campaign. As the season progressed fortunes fluctuated and it became a fight for survival. The promotion/relegation match resulted in a decisive win against second division champions Hawke's Bay
Hawke's Bay Rugby Union
The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand. The union is based in Napier.-Representative rugby:...
at the Rotorua International Stadium
Rotorua International Stadium
Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on Devon Street West in Westbrook suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for rugby union and rugby league matches, being one of two home stadiums for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union...
.
The following two years were some of the best years for the Steamers since 1976. The team finished 5th in '03 and the season included wins over North Harbour
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union , commonly referred to colloquially as North Harbour or simply Harbour, is a provincial rugby team which competes in the ITM Cup , the successor to the country's former domestic competition, the National Provincial Championship .-Area:Harbour Rugby encompasses a...
, Northland
Northland Rugby Union
The Northland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Northland region of New Zealand.-History:Rugby was first played in Northland in the 1870s, and the first union was set up in the province in 1895, known as the Marsden Football Union. The Northland union was founded in...
, Southland, Taranaki
Taranaki Rugby Union
Taranaki Rugby Football Union is the governing body of Rugby in the New Zealand province of Taranaki. The main stadium is Yarrow Stadium which is in the main centre of New Plymouth. Taranaki plays in the annual ITM Cup in which it also competes for the Ranfurly shield...
, and the first win over Auckland
Auckland Rugby Football Union
The Auckland Rugby Football Union is the governing body of rugby union in the Auckland Region, in the North Island of New Zealand. Its colours are navy blue and white in a hoop design. Auckland's top representative team have won New Zealand's top provincial rugby competition 16 times, more than...
in 23 years.
'04 was even better- with an historic Ranfurly Shield
Ranfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
challenge and victory over Auckland in Round 1 of the Air NZ NPC- the first time in their 103 year history that the Bay have held NZ rugby’s most prized trophy. A successful defence against Waikato saw a huge crowd at Mount Maunganui’s Blue Chip Stadium, before Canterbury
Canterbury Rugby Football Union
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand...
finally wrestled the Shield away in an epic battle which went right down to the final whistle when Grant McQuoid was millimeters away from securing a draw. All remaining games though were won home and away, securing a semi final against Canterbury, this time at Jade Stadium
Jade Stadium
Lancaster Park, formerly Jade Stadium and currently known as AMI Stadium through sponsorship rights, is a sports stadium situated in Waltham, a suburb of Christchurch in New Zealand....
against a full opposition. Canterbury were too strong, but against public expectation, Bay of Plenty’s 3rd place finish in the Air NZ NPC capped off an amazing year and saw several Bay players achieve Super Rugby
Super 14
Super Rugby is the largest and pre-eminent professional Rugby union competition in the Southern Hemisphere...
selection.
2005 wasn't quite the success that 2004 was. A highlight was hosting the first match in the DHL NZ Lions Series
2005 British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
In 2005 the British and Irish Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand for the first time since 1993, playing 7 tour matches against first and second division clubs from the National Provincial Championship series, 1 tour match against the national New Zealand all Māori club, and 3 official test...
at Rotorua on June 4. The Bay came back from a 17-0 deficit to go in at halftime level. The lack of games prior to this match however took its toll, with the Lions going on to win 34-20.
The of the 2005 Air NZ NPC was an up and down affair resulting in wins over Taranaki, Waikato and Northland- and some close run losses to Southland and Wellington and a final position of 8th on the table.
Stadia
As being a larger region than most, the Steamers are one of the few teams to have two home stadiums, the Baypark Stadium in Mount MaunganuiMount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui is a town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, located on a peninsula to the north of Tauranga. It was independent from Tauranga until the completion of the Tauranga Harbour Bridge in 1988....
and Rotorua International Stadium
Rotorua International Stadium
Rotorua International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium located on Devon Street West in Westbrook suburb of Rotorua, New Zealand. It is currently used mostly for rugby union and rugby league matches, being one of two home stadiums for the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union...
in Rotorua.
Baypark Stadium
Built in 2000, opened in 2001 and formerly known as Bluechip stadium, Baypark stadium is a muiti-purpose stadium that the Steamers along with Rotorua International Stadium. It has a capacity of 19,800, which was almost attained when Bay of Plenty had the Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
run of 2004.
Rotorua International Stadium
With a capacity of 34,000, Rotorua International Stadium is one of the larger stadiums in New Zealand, but doesn't get the matches that will draw the crowds. It is one of the two stadiums that the Steamers use as a home field, with many considering it the home of Bay of Plenty Rugby. It is also known as "The Hangi Pit", because of the mud-pools around Rotorua.Previous seasons
A table showing the Bay of Plenty Steamers placing in previous Air New Zealand CupAir New Zealand Cup
The ITM Cup is New Zealand's annual professional domestic Rugby union competition, taking place from late July through October . It was founded in 2006 with 14 teams, after the National Provincial Championship was split into two separate competitions. The other 12 provincial teams from the NPC...
/NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
competitions.
| National Provincial Championship | Air New Zealand Cup | |||||||||||||||
| Year | Division | Placing | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD | Year | Placing | W | L | D | PF | PA | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | First | 1st | 8 | 1 | 1 | 189 | 112 | 77 | 2006 2006 Air New Zealand Cup The 2006 Air New Zealand Cup is a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Friday 28 July 2006, and the Grand Final was won by Waikato on 21 October 2006.... |
Quarter-finals | 6 | 3 | 0 | 216 | 163 | 53 |
| 1977 | 10th | 2 | 8 | 0 | 144 | 283 | -145 | 2007 2007 Air New Zealand Cup The 2007 Air New Zealand Cup was a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Thursday 26 July 2007, and the Final, in which Auckland defeated Wellington, was held on Saturday 20 October.... |
13th | 1 | 9 | 0 | 154 | 297 | -143 | |
| 1978 | Second | 1st (North) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2008 2008 Air New Zealand Cup The 2008 Air New Zealand Cup was a provincial rugby union competition involving 14 teams from New Zealand. Matches started on Thursday 31 July 2008, and continued until the final on 25 October 2008.... |
5th | 5 | 5 | 0 | 185 | 152 | 33 |
| 1979 | First | 6th | 5 | 4 | 1 | 266 | 148 | 118 | ||||||||
| 1980 | 9th | 4 | 6 | 0 | 171 | 215 | -44 | |||||||||
| 1981 | 6th | 6 | 4 | 0 | 183 | 177 | 6 | |||||||||
| 1982 | 11th | 2 | 8 | 0 | 92 | 222 | -130 | |||||||||
| 1983 | 4th | 4 | 6 | 0 | 166 | 227 | -61 | |||||||||
| 1984 | 10th | 2 | 8 | 0 | 117 | 237 | -60 | |||||||||
| 1985 | 6th | 5 | 5 | 0 | 176 | 207 | -31 | |||||||||
| 1986 | 5th | 5 | 5 | 0 | 179 | 214 | -35 | |||||||||
| 1987 | 4th | 7 | 3 | 0 | 258 | 218 | 40 | |||||||||
| 1988 | 10th | 1 | 9 | 0 | 194 | 278 | -84 | |||||||||
| 1989 | 6th | 4 | 5 | 1 | 207 | 231 | -24 | |||||||||
| 1990 | 7th | 3 | 5 | 2 | 179 | 211 | -32 | |||||||||
| 1991 | 9th | 3 | 7 | 0 | 176 | 256 | -80 | |||||||||
| 1992 | Second | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| 1993 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1994 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1995 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1996 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1997 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1998 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 1999 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 2000 | Champions | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||
| 2001 | First | 10th | 2 | 8 | 0 | 148 | 366 | -218 | ||||||||
| 2002 | 10th | 1 | 8 | 0 | 204 | 392 | -188 | |||||||||
| 2003 | 5th | 5 | 4 | 0 | 242 | 234 | 8 | |||||||||
| 2004 | Semi-finals | 7 | 2 | 0 | 241 | 221 | 20 | |||||||||
| 2005 | 8th | 3 | 6 | 0 | 188 | 241 | -53 | |||||||||
Ranfurly Shield
The Steamers have been unlucky at times with the Ranfurly ShieldRanfurly Shield
The Ranfurly Shield, colloquially known as the Log o' Wood, is a trophy in New Zealand's domestic rugby union competition. First played for in 1904, the Ranfurly Shield is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most football trophies...
. However, 2004 saw this changed when the Bay successfully lifted the 'Log' from Auckland on August 15.
| Year won | Against | Successful Defences | Lost to | Year lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Auckland Auckland representative rugby union team The Auckland representative rugby union team is the top representative rugby union team under the Auckland Rugby Football Union in New Zealand. It competes in the ITM Cup, renamed from the Air New Zealand Cup in 2010.... |
1 | Canterbury Canterbury Rugby Football Union The Canterbury Rugby Football Union is the governing body for rugby union in a substantial part of the Canterbury region, in the middle of the South Island of New Zealand... |
2004 |