He's the only All Black in Bay of Plenty's pack but Tanerau Latimer can't even cement a starting spot in his favoured openside position.

Instead, the 25-year-old - one of the best players for the Chiefs this year - will start at blindside when the Steamers open their ITM Cup campaign against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe on Sunday.

His spot in the No 7 jersey has gone to Sam Cane, six years Latimer's junior, and fresh from an outstanding display with the New Zealand under-20 side at the Junior World Cup in Italy.

Flanker selections are only likely to get tougher for Steamers coach Sean Horan, who will also regain the services of Blues fetcher Luke Braid after an outstanding Super 15 season.  The 23-year-old wasn't considered for Sunday's match, having helped his side into the playoffs.

"That's purely because of his workrate and the amount of games he played for the Blues," Horan said. "He filled his big brother Daniel's shoes well and he can't be too far off the All Blacks, maybe only an injury or two."

Bay of Plenty's loose forward riches extend to No 8, where skipper Colin Bourke is coming off a lengthy injury layoff.  His last big match was for the Barbarians against South Africa in December - he wrecked a shoulder early in that match and missed the entire Chiefs campaign.

His back-up on the bench in Sunday's match comes from another New Zealand under-20s star, Carl Axtens, who grew up with Cane in Reporoa.

Latimer's move to blindside comes after Solomon King headed to North Harbour this year, while veteran lock Luke Andrews can also cover No 6.

Bay of Plenty have also found themselves with a superfluity of halfback talent, thanks to the late arrival of former Steamers, Chiefs, Crusaders and New Zealand A player Jamie Nutbrown. Nutbrown will start in Sunday's match, while incumbent Taniela Moa - who could yet line up for Tonga at the Rugby World Cup or head offshore - is on the bench.

Lock Culum Retallick will play his 50th match for Bay of Plenty in their season-opener, while former Wallabies midfielder Steve Kefu will make his debut at second-five.  The bench features a clutch of players set to wear blue and gold for the first time, including ex-Northland and  Highlanders prop Bronson Murray, front-rower Pingi Talaapitanga, Taranaki lock Leon Power, Axtens and former Otago first-five Chris Noakes.
 
BOP team to play Counties-Manukau on Sunday:
Toby Arnold, Lelia Masaga, Phil Burleigh, Steve Kefu, Jason Hona, Dan Waenga, Jamie Nutbrown, Colin Bourke (capt), Sam Cane, Tanerau Latimer, Culum Retallick, Luke Andrews, Josh Hohneck, Dan Perrin, Tristan Moran.
Reserves: John Pareanga, Bronson Murray, Pingi Talaapitanga, Leon Power, Carl Axtens, Taniela Moa, Chris Noakes, Lance MacDonald.