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There can only be one winner in the Jason Taylor-Robbie Farah selection issue, and that’s Jason Taylor.
He’s the boss at Wests Tigers, and while Farah has his supporters for retention, they don’t count. Taylor is the sole selector.
As it should be.
On Saturday, Farah starred in reserve grade against the Newtown Jets at Leichhardt So he should among part-timers. But firing in reserves doesn’t translate to firing in first grade.
That side kept in final eight contention with a 25-12 win over the Dragons at ANZ Stadium, once Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, and James Tedesco clicked. Without Farah.
And when they click that’s one of the better sights in rugby league
So that leaves Farah between a rock and a hard place once he decided to dump on Taylor after Leichhardt.
Taylor’s reply: “I would have preferred they (Farah’s comments) weren’t said publicly, but I don’t have a public comment on it”.
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe added with sanctions in mind – “I will review Robbie Farah’s comments on Monday”.
So Farah has two options – zip it, or go.
To this point Farah has decided to play the sympathy card with the relevant tears to whoever wants to listen.
Bad call.
His supporters are playing the NSW Origin card: How could Taylor possibly drop the state hooker?
Bad call.
For starters, Farah on form is the third best hooker in NSW, but retained his spot thanks to NSW coach Laurie Daley’s loyalty.
The in-form hookers are clearly Michael Ennis and Nathan Peats.
Why have the Sharks won a club record 15 games on the trot? Michael Ennis.
Why are the cellar-dweller Titans in with a show of making the final eight? Nathan Peats after his forced move from Parramatta.
And to support Taylor’s rating of Farah, no club is kicking down the Wests-Tigers door wanting to sign the 32-year-old, 247-game hooker.
So if Farah wants to keep banking $900,000 a year until the end of next season, he has one option – zip it and try to fight his way back into first grade, which Taylor hasn’t ruled out.
But dummy spitting, or hanging up his boots, could be insanely costly.
This isn’t a feud, as has been so widely reported in the media. It’s purely a coach’s decision based on form, and the fit of his side.
And it’s Jason Taylor’s right to make any call he believes is in the best interests of his team. His calls will be determined by results.
He’s made such a move with Robbie Farah, and it’ll prove to be the right move.