By Campbell BurnesNo less than 11 players are poised to make their Steelers' debuts in Thursday night's Mitre 10 Cup opener and crossover clash with North Harbour in Albany. Former St Kentigern College First XV bookend Sean Paranihi joined the squad today on loan from Canterbury. Other starting XV rookies are fullback Joe Reynolds, centre Joe Ikenasio, loose forwards So'otala Fa'aso'o and Fotu Lokotui. Wing Sione Fifita, who has been with the Crusaders, is due back next week from an ankle injury. Lancaster will have noticed a slight difference in media interest between his old England team and Counties Manukau.

Source: New Zealand Herald August 16, 2016 09:21 UTC