Sideline Sid Sports correspondant & historian www.sunlive.co.nz

Sideline Sid is counting down the days to the start of the ITM Cup, with the Bay of Plenty Steamers looking good after two hard-fought pre-season hit-outs.

While the Steamers have had their ups and downs during the years, one record that will stay in the history of New Zealand provincial rugby forever is Bay of Plenty won the inaugural National Provincial Championship in 1976.

Another outstanding time in Bay rugby was winning the Ranfurly Shield from Auckland 10 years ago. While the Log of Wood's stay in the Bay was short, it brought the blue and gold supporters together under a unified banner of pride.

A number of indifferent performances last season, which saw the Bay side relegated from the premiership to the championship division, have been consigned to a distance memory with the current side looking ahead with enthusiasm.

Pre-season games count for nothing, other than allowing the coaching staff to try out their various combinations under battle conditions.

However, a 30-odd point drubbing over Hawke's Bay and a narrow loss to current Ranfurly Shield holders, Counties Manukau, suggest renewed steel in the Steamers.

What Sideline Sid likes about the current Steamers squad, is they are mainly the faces we saw week after week in Baywide premier rugby.

Potential Steamers now have to come and play in the Baywide competition, with the only main exceptions being our Super 15 players.

The general consensus from hardened Western Bay rugby followers is the recently-concluded premier title race, won by Mount Maunganui, was among the best since the Baywide competitions were instigated.

One player returning to the Steamers fold should be an inspiration to any aspiring rugby player in the country.

To make a name in the front row of New Zealand rugby takes dedication, commitment and being unafraid of the hard yards – Kane Hanes fits that mold to a tee.

Somewhat of a late-bloomer, Kane was happy playing club rugby for Tauranga Sports while performing his duties as a Bay of Plenty rugby development officer.

Selection for the Bay Development team showed his ability at a higher level, before he lit the fire of desire to go as far as he could in the game.

An example of Kane's dedication was shown in his role as a RDO, where he decided to self-learn photography skills.

Thousands upon thousands of shots later, his photos were good enough to be showcased on SunLive and in print media.

Kane was a revelation in last year's NPC, in a team that was often playing catch-up.

Selection for New Zealand Maori and a Super 15 contract with the Highlanders testified to his character and desire.

Along with the region's other returning Super players, he's likely to become the backbone of a side intent on earning promotion back to the premiership division.

A secret weapon the Steamers possess is the multitude Blue and Gold fans, which are there through good times and bad.

With three games at BayPark and two at the Rotorua stadium – Steamers fans will have plenty of opportunities to get behind ‘Our Team' and cheer them home to victory.

Seeya at the Steamers' games.