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) 

“I’ve definitely been waiting for this game against Northland - it’s the one I really wanted to play in and I’m grateful the coaches have given me the opportunity to do that.  This is my team now and 96 games for Northland ain’t going to stand in the way of that.”

Murray will start the match at loosehead, with Steamers coach Sean Horan making wholesale changes to the side that demolished Wellington 32-0 in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.

The only three players backing up are second-five Steve Kefu, halfback Taniela Moa and wing Lelia Masaga, with Masaga now the only player in the squad to start every game.

It’s also Moa’s last match for the Steamers as he’s been called into the Tongan World Cup team, while Blues flanker Luke Braid has shifted to No 8 and will captain the side for the first time.

Regular captain Colin Bourke gets a well-earned rest, having started every match so far this season and every game last year.  Rookie No 8 Carl Axtens starts at blindside, pairing with his New Zealand under-20s teammate Sam Cane, who is in the No 7 jersey.

Ironically, Murray’s final match for Northland was against Bay of Plenty last year in Whangarei, a fixture that brings back bad memories for most of his current teammates.
With Bay of Plenty needing a win in the last round-robin game of the season to make the playoffs, Northland turned the tables to win 36-24.

“We’d dropped off the last couple of weeks and the Bay were on a high and had put themselves in a position to make the semifinals but we snuck back in there and got the win,” Murray said.

Luckily for Murray - who hails from the small town of Whangape in the Far North, just south of Ahipara - his transition from Taniwha to Steamer hasn’t been too taxing.

“It’s a similar atmosphere to Northland – the boys are pretty laid back and there aren’t any egos.   We were out fishing on Monday and had an afternoon off.  The boys don’t knock off and go have a latte after training – a few of them go hunting and diving and fishing and so it’s pretty easy to fit in.”
 
Bay of Plenty: Chris Noakes, Lelia Masaga, Jason Hona, Steve Kefu, Lance MacDonald, Dan Waenga, Taniela Moa, Luke Braid (capt), Sam Cane, Carl Axtens, Leighton Price, Leon Power, Bronson Murray, Dan Perrin, Pingi Talaapitaga.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Tristan Moran, Culum Retallick, Tanerau Latimer, Jamie Nutbrown, Toby Arnold, Ben Smith, Greg Pleasants Tate.