Stowers and Elliot back with Steelers

‘‘Sherwin was on the rise in the 15s game before he got into Sevens. He was coming up with the Blues and played well for us at fullback and on the wing. It's great to have him back. He's a passionate Counties Manukau man ...’’

Hika Elliot and Sherwin Stowers will be in Steelers colours for the coming national provincial rugby championships.

The pair put a grin on the face of new head coach Darryl Suasua by signing up for another season.

Suasua has big shoes to fill after taking over from Blues coach Tana Umaga and the signatures of Elliot and Stowers are a bonus. Both are seasoned campaigners whose experience will be invaluable.

Elliot, 30, is a four-cap All Black hooker who chalked up 100 Super Rugby games for the Chiefs this year. His experience in the tight is what the Steelers are going to need up front with props Pauliasi Manu and Nepo Laulala out injured.

A serious neck injury sidelined Elliot for the 2014 season but he made his way back in Taranaki colours last year.

‘‘It’s great to be back at Counties Manukau where hopefully the success from the Chiefs will rub off on the Steelers,’’ Elliot says.

‘‘I’m really loving my rugby at the moment after suffering a near career-ending injury at the end of 2013.’’

New Zealand Sevens stalwart Stowers, an integral part of the Steelers’ Ranfurly Shield reign under Umaga, is also glad to be back.

‘‘I’m excited to be putting the jersey back on and playing for Counties Manukau,’’ he says.

‘‘I’m really looking forward to playing 15s after focusing on New Zealand Sevens in 2015.

‘‘The Steelers’ squad has been hit with a few injuries to senior players so I’m keen to play my role, supporting some of the newer players.’’

Suasua is delighted to have both on board.

‘‘Sherwin was on the rise in the 15s game before he got into Sevens.

‘‘He was coming up with the Blues and played well for us at fullback and on the wing. It’s great to have him back.

‘‘He’s a passionate Counties Manukau man, he loves the province and he’s keen to get back into the 15-aside game,’’ Suasua says.

The first chance to catch the Steelers in action at home this season is against Samoa A at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe on August, 5, with kickoff at 6.30pm.

The Steelers will face Northland and the All Blacks at the same venue on August 12 at 5.30pm.

They play North Harbour in Albany in their first match of the Mitre 10 Cup.