Sideline Sid - Sports blogger Sideline Sid is a local sport fanatic. Not only is he a classic rugby bloke but he has views, opinions and knowledge on all sports played in the Bay of Plenty.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers have been pretty much off the radar with the finish of Super Rugby and the start of the All Blacks yearly campaign.
However, preparation for the 2010 season is well advanced, as 'Our Team' looks to meet the challenge of this season's national rugby championship.

Sidline Sid is a traditionalist and believes that we should revert to the original name of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) - not the ABC Cup, or whatever it is called this year.

In 1976, when Bay of Plenty won the inaugural NPC, there was real mana in being the best rugby province in the country. Such was the performance of the Bay in the initial NPC season that Greg Rowland, Eddie Stokes and Murray Taylor were selected for the All Blacks that toured Argentina.

Over the years the performances of our warriors in the Blue and Gold strip have risen to great heights only to be followed by desperate lows.
Who can forget the joy and celebrations of lifting the 'Log of Wood' from Auckland in 2004 - only to see the Bay at the bottom of the heap a couple of years later.

Few things in the Bay of Plenty unify the different regions like the Steamers. While debate has always raged about whether the Steamers games should be held in the Western Bay or Rotorua - the true fans support the Blue and Gold brigade with fervour.

So what will this season bring? My belief is that the Bay Union and Steamers management are quietly building a platform for success this season.
While the Bay representatives punched above their weight in the last two years - the injury toll later in the season has seen the side finish with a whimper.

The Steamers coaching team has taken steps to provide real back up to the frontline troops. A number of players from other provinces have signed on the dotted line to play for the Bay this season.

There are also several locals who have returned from injury, who will be pushing for places in the provinces first XV. Tauranga Sports flying winger Mattie Hodson can have the opposition scratching their heads - after he scoots around and away to dot the ball down.

Last year's backup halfback, Josh Hall, has been in blinding form in club rugby - with a number of last season's Bay age group representatives likely to be pushing for Steamers spots too.

An added incentive for the Steamers to perform this season is that only the top seven provinces will participate in the NPC top echelon the following year. With Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury, always in contention for season honours - the Steamers will be scrapping with the likes of Waikato, Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Otago and Southland to grab a top seven spot.

Will the Bay play first division rugby next season - only time and being relatively injury free will tell.

Seeya at the Game.