Stand-in NSW skipper Robbie Farah says he would be happy to do "half the job" of injured captain Paul Gallen, but insists the State of Origin decider is not about him.
Gallen's foot injury has opened the door for Farah to lead his state for the first time, the Wests Tigers skipper just 80 minutes away from possibly hoisting the Origin shield.
It would be a landmark achievement for a player labelled too soft to play Origin by former Blues hardman Steve Roach just a few years ago, but the skilful hooker says team success is his only concern.
"This game isn't about me," Farah said.
"There's still a job to do, there's still a job I've got to do.
"It would be nice to captain a winning side, that's the job in front of us."
But for Farah it is recognition of his importance to the Blues.
Many assumed he would be NSW's long-term No.9 following the retirement of Danny Buderus in 2008, but he was on the outer after just two games in 2009.
He didn't return until 2012 - and along with the likes of Greg Bird and Luke Lewis, now shapes as an integral member of the Blues pack.
"It's a nice honour for myself," Farah said of the captaincy.
"I struggled for a few years to make the team, I feel like I belong here now.
"Even with Gal there I always feel myself as a senior player.
"It's a great honour from Loz (coach Laurie Daley) to hand me the captaincy. I just hope I can do half the job that Gal does because he's such a great leader.
"They're massive shoes to fill."
Farah said he had chatted briefly with Gallen following his withdrawal from the team, a conversation of mixed emotions as he weighed up the significance of the workaholic front-rower's unavailability up against his own delight at being handed the captaincy.
But one conversation they didn't have was about the possibility of Gallen joining him up on stage to hoist the shield should the Blues end seven years of Queensland dominance on Wednesday night.
"If we win the game or after we win the game we'll talk about that," Farah said.
"That's getting way too far ahead of ourselves, way.
"He just said he didn't want me feeling sorry for him, just be excited and happy that I've got the job, be proud of it and just get on with it."
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