While making sure I had the Please Marry My Boy finale taped, I was flicking through my Twitter timeline when I came across Robbie Farah’s tweet. “Just got ambushed on NRL on Fox. Pretty fired up ATM to be honest and pretty pissed off. Wanted to unleash more then I did.”
I was intrigued, so I called my boss who is a mad Tigers supporter to see if he knew what on earth went down.
He must have been bombarded with phone calls so I had to watch it for myself.
Just as I sat down to watch it, my lovely girlfriend told me I had to go down to the supermarket. Lucky I have IQ. I quickly taped it and ran off to the shops. It just so happens I live right near the Fox Sports Studio. While walking past I was hoping to catch Robbie Farah blowing up at some executive, but that wasn’t to be.
I got home just as it was finishing so I rewound it and watched the interview from the start. It was quite full on and awkward. I just don’t think anyone else would have the balls to confront a captain like Matty Johns did.
Was he in the right? In my mind he definitely was.
The Tigers are playing woefully, out of character and with no heart. To sum that up in one word, “soft”, and that’s exactly what was said on air.
I’m one for excuses, so I can’t really give it to him for that. But why was Farah so wound up about it when he continually said “it’s only March”? Johns was spot on about the Tigers’ play over the last couple of weeks, and all Farah could say was “did you see us scramble?”
I’m surprised the boys didn’t start laughing.
It is about time some of these players got told how it is. I can’t wait for someone to tell them that they are all overpaid athletes, I’m sure we will see fireworks erupt then.
I don’t know if anyone noticed but when Matty asked if he could delve further, Robbie peered over Johns’ shoulder. I’m guessing it was either at his manager or the production manager. You could tell he was burning up inside, his death stare after Matty had finished speaking with him was priceless.
A captain under fire and not coping with it at all well is not a good image for the Tigers. He even swore on air. Mark Geyer even rubbed it in further by saying “I had you guys missing the eight.”
I could see the tension growing between Robbie and Matty. I somehow don’t think this is over!
val gleeson
Guest
Stuff Matty he is the one that is over -rated Robbie is a great captain and player
Hanzo
Guest
I enjoyed the interview. For me Johns asked the questions that most other hosts would tiptoe around. Can you see Vautin or Sterlo getting into a current player like that? No way! They are too "matey matey". Which does lead me to the thursday Footy Show. Man that show is complete garbage and I dont know how it stays on the air. Who cares about players wedding photos or random internet videos we've seen before pieced together or whether the Guru knows the crowd size at the 1996 GF. The show needs a rejig starting with Vautin. Getting back to Farah, he's got nothing to be worried about, he had some tough questions to answer (and fair enough too, his team is looking average) and he came out looking ok.
Pete75
Guest
Anasta was probably shitting himself at the thought of Farah being his captain next year.... "Geez, if this is how the bloke is on telly, how is he going to be in the sheds after a loss?"
Paul
Guest
Good Call
Steve War
Guest
Johns is like a hunchbacked drunk at the pub - seriously inept - Warren Smith keeps having to rescue the show Farah was aggressive from the outset - there must be history to this one
alex p
Guest
farah is correct . johns is a PROVEN goose . it is only march and there are 22 games to go .where was johns when the storm disgraced our game - taking pay to skills coach them i believe . tigers are a better ad for our game than the rorters he worked for at melbourne . i am a bronc thru & thru and we love how our kids play and we love how the tigers play . why wud the washed up one want to dump on them so causticly ?? he can have an opinion but he ambushed farrah and i reckon its time some under qualified journos got told starting with him ............he's a goose !!
Gareth
Guest
Farah should have used it as an opportunity to fire up his forward pack. Blair in particular, who should be stepping up and filling the void left by Fifita, Gibbs and the injured Galloway. Hopefully Matty Johns can rope Blair into an interview and call him a grub and a myth.
Renegade
Guest
Absolutely brilliant TV...Matty Johns is terrific at his job and wouldn't channel 9 be missing him - without doubt the best rugby league personality on tv and radio. As for Robbie Farah, well i've always thought he is over-rated and his little girl tantrum last night instead of actually putting together constructive statements shows the type of character he is......his probably the worst captain in the NRL, which might be the tigers first problem.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Adrian, Robbie held his nerve pretty well until Johns confronted him about the rumours he and Benji had fallen out and were barely talking. He was - quite rightfully - p*ssed off that he has to keep answering questions on these issues when they are unfounded. (These rumours were started and are perpetuated by the elements of the Sydney press who have no reputation and no respect, and who might have names that rhyme with Fanny Feidler, for example.) I was a bit disappointed that Johns had Farah and Anasta on the couch together and didn't ask whether they would be playing together next season. Hopefully this will fire up Farah and the Tigers and they'll bust some Bunny heads this weekend.
Dan
Guest
JCVD, you think gareth Ellis is soft? You're kidding right? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Paul
Guest
What about Anasta, the look on his face was sh!t, am i next. but they went easy on him.
sledgeross
Guest
Thought Robbie held his temper quite well. It was compelling viewing though. Farah defended his team like a good skipper should, and to be fair he hasnt played recently.
JCVD
Guest
I didn't have the Tigers in my 8 as well. Forward pack is too soft for the NRL - apart from blair which I thought was a great signing for them. Benji and Lawrence are probably their two best players. N ole Robbie is a lil over rated IMO