That’s the opinion of coach Jamie Moorehead.

Reeling from the loss of four players through suspension, the Tigers have dropped out of the top five and face the task of beating Old Bar and Macleay Valley in their last two games to have a hope of playing finals football.

“Old Bar will come out with all their guns blazing,’’ Moorehead warned.

“If we don’t turn up then we could be in for a long day. We’ll need the right attitude and we can’t afford to over-complicate things.’’

Moorehead agreed a loss for the Tigers tomorrow will make it difficult from them to qualify, especially as Old Bar will be at home to Wauchope in the final round, where they’d be expected to secure the points.

“I haven’t looked too deeply into it, but that’s probably the way it’s looking,’’ he said.

Wingham will welcome back Trent Green and Michael Rees tomorrow after both missed the 26-4 loss to Port City last weekend. Moorehead is convinced if the Tigers show the same spirit against the Pirates as they did in the clash against the Breakers then they can secure the points. 

Pirates took to secure to five berth

OLD Bar Pirates can secure a place in this season's Group Three Rugby League top five and snuff out Wingham’s hopes in the clash at Wingham tomorrow.

The Pirates surged into the top five with a powerful 42-10 win over Taree City. Old Bar leads Wingham by a point with two games remaining.

“It was always going to take us a while, but we’re starting to jell now,’’ Old Bar co-captain-coach Jake Wheeler said.

He described Old Bar’s performance against the Bulls as ‘the best I’ve seen as a coach.’

Wheeler said the players did everything asked, with their big pack dominating the middle third to set the platform. Old Bar’s defence was also watertight.

Second rower Sean Carr looks likely to miss Saturday’s clash because of shoulder and neck problems although a decision was to be made at training last night. Wheeler said there are a couple of other minor injury concerns.

“But I don’t think there’ll be many changes,’’ he said.

Wheeler expects Wingham to throw everything at the Pirates as they struggle to keep their finals hopes alive.

“They won’t be easy,’’ he said.

“We always have a good game against Wingham.’’

Henry’s horror run with injury continues

TAREE City hooker Mick Henry’s horror run with injuries has continued,with the former North Coast representative now in doubt for the remainder of the Group Three Rugby League season.

Henry sustained shoulder and rib injuries in the 42-10 loss to Old Bar last Saturday. He returned this year after a knee injury and resulting reconstruction surgery limited his 2016 to 40 minutes.

“This year he’s broken his nose, got stiches after being kicked in the head and now possibly broken his ribs,’’ Taree coach Gary Bridge said.

Henry won’t be in the team for Saturday’s must-win match against Wauchope at Wauchope. The loss to Old Bar resulted in the Bulls dropping from third to fourth, with Port Macquarie now third.

“We have to win our last two game against Wauchope and Port to finish third,’’ Bridge said.

The Bulls will also be without fullback Dean Mills and winger Nayden Moriarty, although Matt Everitt will return. Bridge admits the club is stretched for replacements.

“I’ll have to find someone from reserve grade,’’ he said.

Bridge is hoping for a dry track at Wauchope after his side was monstered by the bigger Old Bar pack in wet conditions at Old Bar last Saturday.

“We didn’t get into their 30 metre area once in the second half,’’ he said.

In other games this weekend Port City and Port Macquarie clash on Saturday while Forster-Tuncurry hosts Macleay Valley on Sunday.