Wests Tigers star Robbie Farah dropped from NRL to reserve grade by Jason Taylor
Michael Chammas
Published: July 20, 2016 - 5:24PM
Robbie Farah has been dumped by Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor to NSW Cup but the club insists the NSW hooker's NRL career isn't over.
Farah was a dejected figure after being told the news of his dumping by coach Jason Taylor on Wednesday ahead of the clash against the Dragons, adding further tension to an already fractured relationship.
Fairfax Media understands Taylor is strongly of the opinion Farah doesn't allow young superstars Mitchell Moses, Luke Brooks and James Tedesco to play with the same freedom and authority when he is on the field.
The Tigers want their young playmakers calling the shots and while Farah is still considered the state's best hooker, his style doesn't suit the way Taylor wants to play.
Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said Farah's axing, which has ruined the club's plans to celebrate Farah's 250th NRL game at Leichhardt Oval against the Cowboys in round 22, isn't the end of his time at the club.
"This decision was purely made on what the coach believes is the best for the 80 minutes against St George Illawarra on Sunday," Pascoe told Fairfax Media.
"I would think Robbie is bitterly disappointed but he will commit and work as hard as he has throughout his career to get himself back in the NRL team.
"Every sporting club employs a coach to chose the best team they believe will give them the best winning chance each week. This is and never will be a board or CEO decision."
Farah has been dropped from the NRL squad despite playing all three matches for NSW in this year's State of Origin series. He was initially named in the No.16 jersey on the bench for the game when the team was announced on Tuesday with retiring veteran Dene Halatau selected as the starting hooker.
Farah will be playing in the Intrust Super Premiership at Leichhardt Oval this Saturday afternoon against Newtown instead of lining up for his side's crucial clash with St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
Taylor and Farah have had a tempestuous relationship during the past two years with the hooker told late in 2015 he was free to leave the club despite having two seasons left on his contract.
The veteran was threatened with the prospect of playing NSW Cup if he didn't walk away from his lucrative contract at the club.
The NSW rake dug his heels in and refused to leave.
Farah's future was again up in the air last month after Taylor refused to guarantee he would be recalled after the hooker was "rested" for a loss to the Roosters.
He has attracted interest from English Super League clubs as recently as last month, but the 32-year-old wants to see out his career a one-club man.
Farah remains contracted to the Tigers through to the end of next season, but this move will again throw doubt over his future.
This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...ve-grade-by-jason-taylor-20160720-gq9y17.html
