West Tigers coach Jason Taylor has been widely criticised for dumping his highest contracted player Robbie Farah to the NSW Cup.
Plenty of reports have been describing the sacking as the result of a feud between them.
Everyone is so far off the mark. Do rugby league fans think for one minute Taylor would put his job on the line by dropping Farah because of a feud?
Absolute rubbish.
Taylor is too shrewd a rugby league brain to place his contract in jeopardy by getting rid of Farah to the detriment of the team winning.
Taylor said it was a hard decision to make, but he strongly believed his side had a better chance of beating the Dragons on Sunday afternoon at ANZ Stadium with Farah not in the side.
That’s a coaches call and despite the fact Farah is on 247 games in his 13th year with the the club. In that time he’s scored 284 points from 61 tries, 12 goals, and 16 drop goals.
The other reason Taylor’s been pilloried is for dropping the NSW Origin hooker. That too has a very valid reason behind it.
On form alone, Farah was the third best hooker in NSW behind the Sharks Michael Ennis, and Parramatta-Titans Nathan Peats.
The only reason Farah got the nod over Ennis or Peats for the three Origin games this season was the loyalty card given by NSW coach Laurie Daley.
But Ennis, in particular, was streets ahead of Farah on form.
The Sharks have won a club record 14 NRL games on the trot thanks to Ennis directing play.
He has turned the Sharks backline into performing better than the NSW Origin backline.
Interestingly, it’s been Ennis who has strongly supported his co-member of the hooker’s union.
“I am actually saddened by this situation, to be honest,” Ennis said on radio.
“I think Robbie’s been an amazing player at the club for such a long time (since 2003), and it’s disappointing to see such an icon of the joint venture end his career in this situation.
“He’ll always be remembered as a Tigers’ legend, he won a premiership there, he’s played Origin there, and he’s been captain for a long period of time,” Ennis added.
Lost in those Ennis quotes were the telling words:”He’s been an amazing player”.
Operative word “been“.
And that’s why Jason Taylor has dropped Farah, he’s not cutting the mustard.
Now all eyes will be on how the Tigers fare against the Dragons without Farah, with the Tigers needing six wins from their last seven games to make the finals.
Jason Taylor’s made his Farah call, and it had nothing to do with a “feud”, only his form, or lack of it. It’s up to Robbie Farah to find it again in Reserve Grade.
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Jacko, the facts I wrote are facts... Yes, in the last 12 weeks Farah has appeared in 4 games of which they have won 3. I mentioned in my stats that Robbie had started 6 and won 1 (this year), came off the bench in 3 and won 2 (this year). All three wins feature in the last 12 weeks. However, in the first 8 weeks of the competition, Robbie played another 5 games and won none... If you want facts, see below: RD1 - 34:26 Tigers win (No Robbie) RD2 - 36:22 Tigers win (No Robbie) RD3 - 18:30 Tigers loss (No Robbie) RD4 - 0:8 Tigers loss (Robbie on bench) RD5 - 26:34 Tigers loss (Robbie started) RD6 - 16:18 Tigers loss (Robbie started) RD7 - 18:19 Tigers loss (Robbie started) RD8 - 6:60 Tigers loss (Robbie started) RD9 - 30:22 Tigers win (Robbie started) RD10 - 4:36 Tigers loss (Robbie started) RD11 - 20:12 Tigers win (No Robbie) RD12 - 19:18 Tigers win (No Robbie) RD13 - 18:32 Tigers loss (No Robbie) RD14 - 30:14 Tigers win (Robbie on bench) RD15 - Bye RD16 - 20:29 Tigers loss (No Robbie) RD17 - 34:26 Tigers win (Robbie on bench) RD18 - 22:32 Tigers loss (No Robbie) RD19 - Bye RD20 - 25:12 Tigers win (No Robbie) So, let's do a count: Robbie started 6 times: 1 win, 5 losses Robbie on bench: 3 times: 2 wins, 1 loss No Robbie: now, 9 times (including last weekend): 5 wins, 4 losses Total points when Robbie started: 100 avg. of 16.7 Points conceded when Robbie started: 189 avg. 31.5 Total points when Robbie on bench: 64 avg. 21.3 Points conceded when Robbie on bench: 48 avg. 16 Total points when No Robbie (9 games now): 212 avg. 23.6 Points conceded when No Robbie: 213 avg. 23.7 My facts were perfectly fine. Maybe you should check what I've said before you call it lies. And with regards to the Tigers scoring more than 30 points per game when they won with Robbie, they scored 30 twice, and more than 30 once... Finally, the Pro status: that isn't my call, that is the people here at the Roar.
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Guest
Farah is number 4 at the Tigers you're forgetting Matt Balin
Jacko
Guest
yes qlder as opposed to the refs giving you 2 wins
Jacko
Guest
Yeah Lebron cant play league
Jacko
Guest
Iv'e heard reserve grade is sold out
Robert Stewart
Guest
I noticed during yesterday's game that when Halatau was off the field Jordan Rankin spent time at dummy half.Does that mean it is better to use a winger than a normal hooker (Farah). Taylor leaves a lot to be desired and maybe another clip on the chin is warranted. Farah in Taylor out.
Jacko
Guest
Farah has made it very clear that he is happy playing to the game plan so if thats not Taylor lying I dont know what is. Taylors "gameplans" havnt worked at any other club he has coached at so why would they work here.
Robert Stewart
Guest
I am certain that Taylor would not have had the intestinal fortitude to drop Farah had the game been at either Leichhardt or Campbelltown the supporters would have lunched him. The CEO did a bolt and decided to go on holidays after Taylor made the decision to drop Farah. How the State of Origin hooker who was also NSW vice-captain does not warrant a start in the first 17 is ludicrous. Taylor stated when he arrived at the Tigers that Farah was not on his playing roster and could look for another club or play reserve grade so he set out to get rid of him. He is just an arrogant idiot and I can understand how he had one planted on his chin when he was at Souths. He was pushed from both Parramatta and Souths and it is time he was given his marching orders again. Keep Farah sack Taylor.
Jacko
Guest
Not true. Farah has played in 4 in the last 12 weeks and they won 3 and lost 1 where farah was KO'D. In the wins they scored more than 30 points per game. and Farah scored in 2 of his last 4 games so get your facts right as what you wrote is just plain lies to put crap on a player you personally dislike. And you list yourself as a PRO. load of crap
Jacko
Guest
8 matches for Australia and 16 for NSW. 247 for the Tigers 2 for NRL allstars and 1 for lebinon. Just useless really
Jacko
Guest
They were 19 and are now 22. I hope they have improved but I have no doubt that Taylor had nothing to do with it. Taylor has destablised every club he has coached at. Parra and Souths got rid of him and the Tigers should too.
Jacko
Guest
So Farah is not no1, not no2 but no 3 in NSW. Are the other two at the Tigers? So he is therefor by definition, the best hooker at the Tigers. Now is Taylor the 3rd best coach in the comp? Perhaps the board should drop Taylor as he doesnt fit in with the rest of the team.
Jacko
Guest
But they will get him cheap!! Tigers pay him to play for Dragons.
Davico
Guest
The only loyalty Farah has is to the contract he has which is about twice as much over the course of his career than What he is worth.
Davico
Guest
As long as it is a nice day they will pack out LO with or without Farah playing! If you don't think so try rocking up 15 minutes before the game starts and see how you go getting a ticket to get in!!
Christov
Guest
Seems to me he is doing just that, but around Moses, Brooks and Tedesco.
Chuck
Guest
Not a rugby fan particularly,but the team sport doesn't matter - individual players,regardless of being dubbed as 'legends' during their playing-career, should realise that having a place in the side is not a given, but a function of your contribution (relative to your perceived abilities), attitude and the discretion of the team coaching and selection staff, whose job it is to make such decisions in the best-interests of the club. If you've been dropped, it should be a wake-up call for you and a reminder that you are not bigger than the team / club. Your job is to then focus on the work at hand and if you do so with success and the right attitude, you will probably have a pretty-good chance of re-gaining your place in the senior side. But don't forget the importance of appropriate humility in the process. Don't see any success you've had in the minor grade as a vendetta for your having been dropped. Instead, thank your coaching and selection staff for having given you another chance and rejoin your senior teammates saying, 'Maybe I wasn't contributing to my abilities - I'm back to change that - Let's do it!!' You might find this is more inspiring to them than your bearing any grudges. Again, not a rugby fan or currently a professional coach or in a position at a team sporting club, but think about what I'm saying and you may find it's not bad advice. A positive, win-win attitude is the best answer to most things in life.
M hughes
Guest
He deserves to go out on his terms he has been so loyal to this club when he could have gone to parra or the Bulldogs the unprofessional nature of the handling of this situation by Taylor and tigers management is an absolute disgrace
M hughes
Guest
And now they will get a poor crowd the Tigers management and board are useless they couldn't run a chook raffle they have been mismanaged for years
HarryT
Guest
It is true that Moses and Brookes are not good defenders. But they are improving. My point is that the Tigers no longer leak 30 points in 10 minutes as they did in years past. Farah's defense has never been an issue with Taylor.