Bay of Plenty have added further interest to Luke McAlister's ITM Cup return for North Harbour in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, throwing converted wing Jason Hona in to second-five to mark the 30-test veteran.

Hona has played all of his previous 37 games for the Steamers on the left wing, as well as a couple of games for the Chiefs last year.

But he played the majority of the club season for his Rangataua side at first-five, with Steamers coaches urging him to work on his distribution.

"We see Jason as a potential midfielder in the next year or two so this is giving him an early opportunity there," Steamers coach Sean Horan said.  "He's a very astute player with a good skill set and he's got some size which is important at this level."

McAlister missed the first two games of the season after he failed to show at training for North Harbour, before seeking an early release from his NZRU contract so he could play in France.

He's since apologised and made amends with his provincial side, providing a welcome boost for Harbour as regular centre Rudi Wulf is out with a shoulder injury, replaced by Nafi Tuitavake.

Horan has the luxury of bringing star Blues flanker Luke Braid into his ranks for his first match of the season, replacing Tanerau Latmer at blindside, with New Zealand under-20s openside Sam Cane retaining his place.

Taniela Moa will start at halfback with Jamie Nutbrown dropping to the bench, while Ben Smith starts on the left wing.

This is the first of three home matches for the Steamers in just eight days, with Chiefs rivals Waikato looming in Rotorua on Tuesday and Wellington venturing north next Sunday.

"There are a lot of players getting a chance for this match and it's about putting some trust in our squad," Horan said.

"We've got to look at who we put out on Saturday and who we put out on Tuesday - it's a season of attrition so it's about being a bit smarter about things."

Bay of Plenty: Toby Arnold, Lelia Masaga, Phil Burleigh, Jason Hona, Ben Smith, Chris Noakes, Taniela Moa, Colin Bourke (capt), Sam Cane, Luke Braid, Culum Retallick, Leon Power, Josh Hohneck, John Pareanga, Bronson Murray.
Reserves: Dan Perrin, Pingi Talaapitaga/Tristan Moran, Leighton Price, Carl Axtens, Jamie Nutbrown, Dan Waenga, Lance MacDonald, Greg Pleasants-Tate.