The Hintons formed the halves combination for the Pirates in last year's under 18.5 grand final. However, Joe has impressed this season as a winger while Tanna was Old Bar's best player in reserve grade in the opening two games.

"Tanna's gained the best and fairest points in reserve grade for the past two matches so he deserves his chance in firsts,'' Old Bar coach Jamie Moorehead said.

The Pirates are edging closer to full strength, with Joel Dark and Justin Berry both back while there's a chance Jonathon Tickle and Carlos Kohu-Martin could also play. A final decision will be made at training on Friday.

Dark, a back rower, missed the representative season and start of the competition-proper because of work commitments. He will play off the bench this week, with Berry in the centres.

Berry will replace Dylan Towers, who broke ribs in the match against Taree City last week. Moorehead said Towers isn't expected back until the second round and will be missed.

"Dyl doesn't get a lot of recognition or accolades but he's usually one of our best players,'' he said.

His versatility is also a bonus as he can play hooker, halfback while he was in the centres against Taree, where he was again playing strongly until injured.

Moorehead agreed this is a vital game for the Pirates.

"We're 0 and 2, we don't want to go 0 and 3,'' he said.

"We're already playing catch-up and that's not a position we want to be in.''

Wauchope, with two wins from two, are always strong at home. Moorehead said the Pirates will have to be at their best to take a win home on Sunday.

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"We've played glimpses of good football in out two opening games, but we have to start putting it together for the 80 minutes,'' he said.

Meanwhile Wauchope five-eighth Nick McCabe will be playing his 100th first grade game for the Blues on Sunday.

A former Group Three representative, McCabe joined the Blues in 2012 and was a member of first grade premiership teams in 2012 and 2013.