Whakatāne’s Joe Johnston has hit the ground running in this year’s National Provincial Rugby Championship with Bay of Plenty.

Having grown up at Trident High School, before heading to King’s College in his final two seasons of high school, Johnston is still an Eastern Bay boy, and his presence shows players can be spotted from the smaller schools.

Johnston, who plays flanker, spent three-seasons playing in the United States for the New England Free Jacks, who he is eligible to represent at international level through family.

The 26-year-old played for Waikato in the 2023 NPC competition and then lined up for Te Puke Sport in the 2024 Baywide competition, helping them to win the overall title.

His impressive club form for the Pirates saw Bay of Plenty come calling and, with Veveni Lasaqa out for the season, Johnston has started their first three games in the number 7 jumper.

He opened his campaign with two tries against Waikato in the opening round and has been one of the Steamers best in their other two matches, which were victories over Counties Manukau and North Harbour respectively.

Johnston’s not the only Eastern Bay player in the competition this year, with Ōpōtiki’s Tom Franklin running around again with Taranaki, while Taha Kemara is back running the cutter after a tough super rugby campaign with the Crusaders.

A teammate of Johnston’s at Te Puke, Ricki Harte, is a step closer to his Bay of Plenty Steamers dream as he’s been included in the Bay of Plenty Ngawha squad, the development team to play games against the likes of Auckland B, North Harbour B, Waikato B, Counties B and others.

Harte had a standout campaign and is one to look out for going forward.

Three others with Eastern Bay links have been picked in the Bay of Plenty Toa side, their under-19 team.

Last year, Brimsy Marshall and Malachi Kurei were part of the team, so to have three in it this year, shows the talent is there.

Whakatāne Marist prop Sitiveni Uitalia, a new recruit to the unbeaten Eastern Bay club rugby champions, had a barnstorming club season and has earned himself selection.

“I am very happy to have made the squad.”

Uitalia said he loved his club season with Whakatāne Marist.

“I found it really enjoyable and easy to adapt. We have a multicultural squad, and we all get along incredibly well, which helped me perform to my best.”

He expects the matches for the Toa to be tough, but a good challenge.

“I am aiming to perform well and get noticed by scouts to further my dream of playing professional rugby.”

Another from the Eastern Bay club competition to gain a spot was Paroa utility back Maxwell Wharewera.

With pace and power, Wharewera is capable of playing in the midfield or on the wing, while the former Trident High School player has also spent time in the forwards.

Former Whakatāne High School flanker Sam Dibben, who now plays for Mount Maunganui Sports, has also been selected.

Much like their development counterparts, they play a series of matches against fellow North Island teams.