Bay of Plenty Steamers v Counties Manukau Steelers, Round#8, ITM Cup, 19 Sep, 2010

Last week it was torrential rain, this week in Tauranga it was the aftermath of a storm with power cuts and strong winds.

Counties Manukau were in town playing Bay of Plenty in an important clash that would start to shape the Top 7 for 2010.

It didn’t rain but the wind played a part and it got quite cold in the second half when the sun faded.

The Counties faithful were not put off.

Ex-All Black captain Tana Umaga wasn’t playing, preferring to wrap up on the sideline.

NZ Sevens captain DJ Forbes was on the bench for the first time this season – a welcome sight for New Zealand going into the Commonwealth Games in a few weeks.

Fellow international Sherwin Stowers was on the wing for the visitors.

Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams was in impressive form.

Sideline comments were provided by ex-Bay of Plenty and North Harbour midfielder, Rua Tipoki – who had a bit of a star wars look with his hood up.

The real feature was Samoan prop Simon Lemalu – a beautiful specimen and an excellent player.

For Bay of Plenty, it was Tanerau Latimer’s 50th game for the province. Which he capped off with a great conversion from the sideline to end the game.

Ex-All Black wing, Lelia ‘Flash’ Masaga was playing against his old team having moved to the Bay this season.

Taniela Moa was looking good in corn rolls, thin sideburns nd under-the-chin beard.

The Ex-Auckland halfback scored Bay of Plenty’s second try.

All Black first five Mike Delaney scored the winning try for Bay of Plenty in the dying seconds of the match, a riveting encounter.