Central North Rugby Round 15: Pirates looking to get season back on track against Barraba

Back-to-back losses to Moree and Gunnedah have left the premiers with little margin for error to keep their hopes of winning a record fifth-straight title alive.

"All we're looking for tomorrow is the five points," Squires said.

"It's as simple as that."

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Locked in a six-way battle for the four finals spots, with only four rounds remaining he said they are from now essentially playing sudden death footy.

They are assured of at least five points for the bye, and on paper would be expected to beat the Rams, and Quirindi next week. But as results particularly in the last few weeks have shown, there are no guarantees.

Pirates certainly won't be taking the Rams lightly.

Squires thought the 74-12 scoreline in the first round was "flattering" and expects the Rams to be fired up for what will be a big day, on and off the field, at Gwydir Oval with a girls gala day, ladies gala day, ladies day and 10-year reunion for the Gwydir River Rats.

He will be looking for a big improvement from his side after as he put it, being "humbled" and "outplayed" by Gunnedah last week.

They have again though been forced into a number of changes with Bart Leach, Andrew Moodie and Tony O'Connor adding to an ever-growing injury list.

They have particularly been hard hit in the forwards with the likes of Conrad Starr, Nick McCrohan, Tim Collins, Jake Douglas and now Leach and O'Connor on the sidelines.

It has forced them to turn to 'Plan B'.

"We've tried to play quite expansive this year and that requires you to have some mobile backrowers. Guys like Conrad, Nick, Tim Collins, Biffo (Doug Biffin) and Jake fit that mold," Squires said.

"We've simplified a few things this week."

The injuries have also had an impact on their set-piece, which was one of the things that really hurt them against the Red Devils.

"We were pushed around in the scrum and we just had no rhythm in our lineout, we couldn't get any consistency going there," Squires said.

"It's been the story all year, when we've lost games we've lost it through our set piece."

He also spoke needing "to be better at the way we're executing" and improving their attitude and mindset around defence.

"For us that's the key, if we can lift our mindset and attitude in defence we'll have enough points in us to win games," he said.

Jioji Cakacaka has been promoted for his first start, at hooker. Squires said he has been playing "some pretty good footy in reserve grade" and has got a "good strong throw" on him.

Brendan Rixon also makes his starting return at five-eighth for Moodie in what is an otherwise unchanged backline.

In what is shaping as another intriguing round, the Red Devils host Walcha, Narrabri and Inverell will be out to bounce back from surprise losses when they meeting at Narrabri and Moree is at home to Scone.

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