If the old adage about learning more from a loss rings true, then the Bay of Plenty Steamers will return from their first pre-season match yesterday with plenty to work on after being beaten 26-18 by Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium.

The cold facts were they were out-scored and out-finished three tries to two, although there were plenty of good signs for first-year coach Greg Smith.

The Bay of Plenty Steamers began their 2009 campaign under the shadows of Mount Taranaki with a narrow 26-18 loss - when they faced fellow Air New Zealand Cup contenders Taranaki on Friday (10 July 2009).

The match was the first of three preparatory games for the Steamers, before the Air New Zealand Cup starts in earnest on the last day of July.

The first official pre-season game for the Steamers is played in New Plymouth tomorrow. Here is the named 22.

1 Joe Savage (captain) 2 Dean Elmiger 3 Josh Hohneck 4 John Moore 5 Culum Rettalick 6 Matt Vant Leven 7 Luke Braid 8 Solomon King 9 Steven Wallace 10 Nick McCashin 11 Jason Hona 12 Cory Aporo 13 Nigel Hunt 14 Clinton Toopi 15 Toby Arnold.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Ted Tauroa, Josh Olsen, Josh Katene, Kelly Haimona, Haimona Marr, Wayne Hughson.

Steamers captain Tanerau Latimer has been selected in the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad. The first game is at home to Australia on Saturday 18 July.

What this means is that Tanerau won't be available for the Steamers until towards the end of the Air New Zealand Cup - if he is released at all. That may depend on the fitness of Richie McCaw and how much time Latimer actually plays. Looking on the bright side, this could be a great chance for Luke Braid to show what he can do at a higher level.