The Bay of Plenty Steamers are drawing inspiration from the province’s greatest rugby triumph as they prepare to launch their 2026 NPC campaign.
This year marks 50 years since the Bay of Plenty side lifted the National Provincial Championship in 1976, and head coach Richard Watt said the milestone had become a driving force for this season’s squad.
“It’s been 50 years since we won it – that’s way too long.”
The squad embraced the anniversary during their pre-season camp at Waihī Beach, where this season’s playing jersey and a new heritage jersey were blessed. The team will wear the heritage strip twice this season, and surviving members of the 1976 championship-winning side will reunite at one of the home games.
“The Roman numeral for 50 is the letter L and we have the L on our jersey,” Watt said.
Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach Richard Watt (on far right) with the surviving members of the 1976 championship-winning side who will be reuniting at one of the home games this season. Photo / Supplied.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union patron and former All Black Graeme Crossman, who captained Bay of Plenty during that golden era and was part of the 1976 All Blacks tour to South Africa, presented the jerseys to the current squad.
“It was a really cool moment,” Watt said. “Graeme came up to us at Waihī Beach, presented the jerseys and helped us bless them. He told the boys about that era and what it meant to wear the jersey. He also told us that the ’76 All Blacks are going to have a reunion based around one of our games.”
The Bay of Plenty Steamers team. Photo / Supplied
The team have two home games in Rotorua on August 8 and 22, and three home games at Tauranga Domain on September 5 and 19, and October 4.
The Steamers have enjoyed just two weeks together in pre-season after several players were involved in Super Rugby and the Māori All Blacks’ tour of Japan, but Watt was pleased with how quickly the squad had gelled.
“We’ve got quite good cohesion from the last couple of years, even though we’ve got quite a few new guys. It’s been a good two weeks, and we’ve come together well.”
Bay of Plenty Steamers team members training. Photo / Supplied
Joining the coaching group this season is former Te Puke Sports coach Luther Hirini, who takes on the role of attack coach alongside John Haynes-Dodd.
“Luther’s a good young coach,” Watt said. “The attack will grow throughout the year. We’ve focused on the big rocks like defence first, but it’s been a really positive start.”
The Steamers squad combines experienced campaigners with emerging talent.
Captain Kurt Eklund is playing his final season for Bay of Plenty before heading to Japan. Halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi is also playing his last season, while younger players including Reuben Palmer, Sione Tupou and Toby Taylor are beginning their NPC journeys.
Bay of Plenty Steamers head coach Richard Watt. Photo / Supplied
“That’s the cool thing about rugby,” Watt said. “You’ve got the old heads and the young guys at the opposite end of their careers, so you get the old bull teaching the young bull all his tricks before he leaves the paddock.”
Bay of Plenty’s success in developing players had also created a unique challenge.
A training session for the Bay of Plenty Steamers. Photo / Supplied
The province has four players selected in the current All Blacks squad – Fehi Fineanganofo, Leroy Carter, Emoni Narawa and Pasilio Tosi – although Watt said that having three international wingers leaves some gaps at NPC level.
“Someone asked me what the challenge was, and I said we’re developing too many All Blacks,” he laughed. “It’s awesome for them, but it’s no good for us.”
With the All Blacks away for most of the NPC season, the Steamers will rely on the next generation, including exciting outside backs and current New Zealand Sevens players Frank Vaenuku, Roderick Solo and Kele Lasaqa.
Bay of Plenty Steamers doing pre-season training. Photo / Supplied
Watt is confident the depth within the squad will ensure Bay of Plenty remains competitive.
The Steamers opened their preparations with a pre-season fixture against Auckland, beating them 36-31, in Katikati – the first time in several years they have staged a pre-season match within the Bay.
“I wanted to play inside our region,” Watt said. “We needed one game pre-season; it was great to play in Katikati.”
The Chiefs Cup and the Nathan Strongman Memorial Trophy. Photo / Supplied
The Steamers continued their build-up this week with the Chiefs Cup and Nathan Strongman Memorial Trophy clash against Waikato kicking off their NPC campaign on Thursday, carrying both the legacy of 1976 and the ambition to create another chapter in Bay of Plenty rugby history.