Central North Rugby: Pirates hoping to turn fortunes around against Gunnedah after successive losses

The premiers head to Gunnedah on Saturday hoping to avoid losing three in-a-row after successive losses to Narrabri and Moree.

Unfamiliar territory in recent years, Squires said there is a lot of hunger among the playing group.

"They just know they've been below par the last couple of weeks," he said.

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It hasn't been the whole game, just one half.

"At the end of the day we've played two terrible halves of football; the second half against Narrabri and the first half against Moree and it's cost us games," Squires said.

"Ultimately the goal this week is to put together a good 80 minutes."

They will be bolstered by the inclusion of Tim Collins, Doug Biffin and Damian Reti. Collins and Reti are both back after missing the Bulls game while Biffin - the 2019 player of the grand final - is set for his first start of the season.

So to is Micheal Purtle, with the teenager to make his run-on debut up front.

"We've still got some players out," Squires said.

"We had a look at who was the best fit for this weekend."

"He's another kid who had a really strong pre-season and he's played well the first few games in second grade."

After starting on the wing the first three games Reti will shift to fullback as Squires and Pascoe continue to move players around to try and find the "best fit".

The thinking is it will give him more opportunities with the ball.

The Red Devils will be a tough assignment. They are three-from-three and last outing thrashed Quirindi 62-5.

Elsewhere Walcha travel to Moree, Narrabri are at home to Scone and Quirindi host Inverell and their Old Boys and Family Day.

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