Mick Squires: Pirates confront Moree on Saturday

The "new" for Squires is the co-coaching role at Pirates, while the "old" is Moree - the reigning four-time premiers' opponents on Saturday.

Squires spent the first 27 years of his life in Moree - playing both rugby league and rugby (but not for the Bulls) - before leaving to go on a working holiday in Canada.

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The 42-year-old worked in a five-star hotel in Canada - and has remained in the hospitality sector ever since.

He relocated to Tamworth from Shoal Bay in 2016 to become the licensee of the Southgate Inn, which is owned by The Pub Group.

"It's a locally owned business that the family still runs. Yeah, they're great to work for," he said.

Squires grew up playing footy against Craig Power, The Pub Group manger.

"We used to run into each other when we were at hotel events in Sydney," the mentor said. "And he always said to me that if I were interested in coming back to the bush, to give him a call."

Squires stepped up to co-coach first grade with Todd Pascoe this season, after spending the past two seasons in charge of Pirates' second-grade side.

Prior to moving to Tamworth, Squires coached Nelson Bay's second-grade side in the Newcastle comp. He described mentoring first grade as "different".

"You're doing a lot of patching up in second grade - a lot of putting pieces in the puzzle," he said. "Whereas in first grade, you've got all these guys to pick from.

"And you've got to find a blend between the young guys you won't to bring through and the experienced guys you have there."

After two impressive wins to start the season, Pirates were upset away to Narrabri last Saturday.

Several Pirates will be missing against Moree, including captain Conrad Starr, Jake Douglas and Tim Collins.

Squires said he wanted Ken Chillingworth Oval to remain a "fortress" repelling opposition sides.

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