Sub-zero temperatures are predicted in Rotorua tonight for the ITM Cup match between Bay of Plenty and Waikato, although Steamers captain Colin Bourke is forecasting a typically fiery encounter.

Waikato’s lineup contains five former Bay of Plenty players, with both sides also brimming with Bourke's Chiefs teammates.

“We still claim to be little brother against Waikato and see ourselves as the underdogs so we’ll be using that as motivation, plus there are a few familiar faces in there and what’s already a pretty heated battle will only be more so coming up against a few mates,” Bourke said.

Waikato second-five Rena Schuster and flanker Zac Hohneck have both played for the Bay, while reserves Marcel Cummings-Toone, Sam Christie and Matt Vant Leven also have experience in blue and yellow.

With the remnants of a polar blast sweeping over the country, Rotorua's International Stadium will be a chilling experience in its first taste of Tuesday night rugby.

Bay of Plenty are leading the premier division after wins over Counties-Manukau and North Harbour but tonight’s match is their first against top division rivals.

It’s in the middle of an eight-day, three-game home stretch as well, with coach Sean Horan making a number of changes to the side which beat Harbour 38-17 on Saturday in Mount Maunganui.

Jamie Nutbrown swaps again with Taniela Moa at halfback, while Tanerau Latimer comes back into openside flanker, in place of rising star Sam Cane.

Cane and Luke Braid drop back to the bench, while 35-year-old veteran Luke Andrews will start at blindside, giving the Steamers back more height and muscle. Dan Waenga returns to first-five, replacing Chris Noakes who slotted 18 points in his run-on debut against Harbour.

‘We’ve made a few changes and a lot of them are tactical, to look after tired bodies,” Bourke said. “We’ve got momentum behind us, even though we’ve still got some improving to do because it wasn’t a complete performance against North Harbour.”

Teams:
Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Lelia Masaga, Phil Burleigh, Steve Kefu, Ben Smith, Dan Waenga, Jamie Nutbrown, Colin Bourke (capt), Tanerau Latimer, Luke Andrews, Culum Retallick, Leon Power, Josh Hohneck, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Pingi Talaapitaga, Sam Cane, Luke Braid, Taniela Moa, Chris Noakes, Lance MacDonald/Nick McCashin, Bronson Murray.
Waikato: Tim Mikkelson, Frank Halai, Jackson Willison, Rena Schuster, Henry Speight, Trent Renata, Brendon Leonard, Alex Bradley, Zac Hohneck, Jack Lam, Chris Middleton, Toby Lynn, Nathan White (capt), Aled de Malmanche, Ben May.
Reserves: Marcel Cummings-Toone, Toby Smith, Romana Graham, Matt Vant Leven, Malcolm Barnes, Sam Christie, Save Tokula, Latu Talakai.