Mozzies lose fair amount of bite

NT Mosquitoes coach Peter McGrath is struggling to put together a fit squad eight days before their only representative match of the season.

Mozzies training action shots {Doug to ID}

NT Mosquitoes coach Peter McGrath is struggling to put together a fit squad eight days before their only representative match of the season.

The tough NTRU season has taken its toll on player stocks with at least 12 Mozzie possibles ruled out through injury or unavail­ability.

McGrath, who was in charge of the Casuarina Cougars who were narrowly defeated in last Saturday’s NTRU Grand Final, admits the understrength Mozzies face a tough task against the Combined Services team at Rugby Park on Saturday week.

“There will be a few Pirates and a few Cougars in the final squad,” he said.

“It will not be a full strength side. There is still depth in the squad but we will have 11 or 12 first choices missing.”

McGrath admits he does not know much about the opposition but he expects them to be well prepared.

“They will be quite a structured team and quite fit,” he said.

“We will go out there to play our own brand of football and take it from there.”

One player who has certainly left his mark in the NTRU competition this season is former Italian under-21 player Vito Di Muro.

The breakaway played a pivotal role in the Cougars reaching the grand final.

“The Mozzies match will be his last in Darwin as he is moving to New Zealand as part of his world tour,” McGrath said.

The Defence Services Gala Day is next Saturday at Rugby Park.

The NT Women tackle the 1st Brigade Women at 5.15pm followed by the Presidents XV against the Brigadiers XV at 6pm.

The Mosquitoes and Australian Services kick off at 7.30pm.

Meanwhile, tickets for the Heineken Long Lunch at Fannie Bay Racecourse, featuring special guests and former Wallabies Chris “Buddha” Handy and Tom “Turtle” Lawton are on sale from The Rugby Shop in the Mitchell Centre.