South Sydney coach Michael Maguire expects to see more out of Robbie Farah following the hooker's club debut in their NRL trial defeat on Saturday night.
Despite his pre-season being hampered by a bicep injury, Farah put in a solid 40-minute shift after being a late inclusion in the Rabbitohs' 22-16 loss to Manly in Campbelltown.
He worked hard in defence and also probed the Sea Eagles' ruck defence without much luck, although he did come close to scoring a try out of dummy-half early in the match.
"It was a good little hit-out for himself, he hadn't played in a fair while but he's been a pro all the way through and it was good to see him get through 40 minutes," Maguire said.
The game was Farah's first taste of the top grade since round 17 last year, which was his last for the Wests Tigers before his bitter exit with the club in November.
The 33-year-old didn't speak to media post-game, and Maguire gave little away about how he intended to use the NSW State of Origin hooker, as well as Damien Cook, this season.
But he anticipates he will see more out of Farah as the season progresses.
"He and I have discussed what he needs to do and he's focused on doing those sorts of things," Maguire said.
"I'm enjoying the No.9s that I've got and we've got to make sure our game plan is on the field every time they go out there and that's what they're focused on.
"I like to see more and more as we keep moving forward. It was 40 minutes and the combinations are going to grow.
"Just building combinations is a big one for him at the moment."
Prop George Burgess also impressed with a number of trademark hit-ups before also bowing out after halftime.
"I was pleased with George, he's obviously put a lot of work in over the last sort of month and a bit so he's got to keep doing it now, that's the key," Maguire said.
"He was able to get out, his movement was better but I still think there's a lot left in him too."
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