Bay of Plenty are "fizzing" ahead of the tour opener against the British & Irish Lions on Saturday, according to full-back Adrian Cashmore.
Cashmore, one of the more experienced players in the Steamers line-up with two New Zealand Test caps and New Zealand Maori and Sevens honours to his name, reckons the team have nothing to lose and likens the game to their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Auckland last year when no-one gave them a chance.
The Steamers won the match in Auckland 33-28 to take the Shield and successfully defended it against Waikato before coming up against a red-hot Canterbury side, who eventually went on to win the National Provincial Championship title as well.
"We just gotta run out there Saturday and try to carry on from what we achieved last year," Cashmore told www.allblacks.com.
"There is no pressure on us. We are in exactly the same position we were in when we challenged for the Shield last year – get out there and have a go.
"The Lions have chosen a pretty formidable side and are clearly looking to get some combinations ready for the Tests. In that sense they are probably using us as rugby guinea pigs and I can tell you the boys are more than happy to be in that position."
Cashmore admitted knowing little about his opposite number Josh Lewsey, nor many of the England full-back’s Lions team-mates either.
"We know them by reputation but to be honest we are not even thinking about that," he said.
"With one week’s build-up it is kind of all about us. We had a quick look at that Argentina game but you can’t read too much into that. They have got a whole new side.
"Our guys are fizzing. There are a couple of young guys chewing at the bit. It is going to be huge."
