If things had worked out differently, Bronson Murray would’ve celebrated his 100th game for Northland last week, cementing the prop as one of the greats of the province.

Instead, the 28-year-old will be playing his fourth game for Bay of Plenty when he runs out onto the magnificent Toll Stadium in Whangarei on Thursday night.

Murray changed allegiances midway through his Super 15 season with the Highlanders and hasn’t regretted it, as Bay of Plenty lead the ITM Cup Premiership after four rounds.

“It was definitely a tough call – that’s my home and I was born and bred up there and played 10 seasons for Northland, probably only missing five games in that time,” Murray said.

(In the photo are Luke Braid with Bronson Murray behind practicing lineouts at training on Tuesday 2 August) 

It's official!! The plane has been chartered and it is all on - a flight to Dunedin, a chance to see Otago play in their brand new stadium and then onto Invercargill to secure top spot in the ITM Cup and the RANFURLY SHIELD.

The trip is through our old friend SHANE KENNEDY of House of Travel Tauranga and his trusted sidekick DEBRA with me Hori BOP as your host. Along with the BOP Mafia, we have flicked the switch to send a charter plane down to Dunedin and Southland for the Steamers last game of the round robin and quite possibly Southland's last game as Shield holders.

It has taken a massive effort by Shane and Debra who were responsible for the highly successful and popular charters to Canterbury 7 years ago for the NPC semi-final and the year after to challenge for the Shield. They are very competent at these events so let's go!! 

Taniela Moa has already won two provincial rugby championships with Auckland and he can sense something similar building with his Bay of Plenty team in this year’s ITM Cup.

Unfortunately the 25-year-old won’t be there to see it come to fruition, announcing after yesterday’s 32-0 mauling of Wellington in Mount Maunganui that he was joining Tonga for their World Cup campaign.

Moa scored a try and helped set up two others as Bay of Plenty kept their unbeaten season going, inflicting the province’s biggest winning margin over the team from the Capital.

A brilliant last-minute try helped Bay of Plenty stamp themselves as genuine ITM Cup prospects, beating a disappointing Wellington side 32-0 in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

Fullback Toby Arnold scored the home side's fourth and bonus-point try in the 79th minute in a dazzling 100m movement, which featured a 60m burst from replacement hooker Dan Perrin.

The Steamers fourth consecutive win took them to 19 points in the Premiership, well clear of second-placed Taranaki on 14, while Wellington dropped from second to equal-fourth after the match.