NRL Tigers happy to face Farah first

Wests Tigers stalwart Chris Lawrence says a mooted 2017 first round NRL clash with South Sydney and their former Tigers icon Robbie Farah would be great.

New South Wales State of Origin player Robbie Farah

Wests Tigers players would welcome the prospect of lining up against former teammate Robbie Farah. (AAP)

Wests Tigers players would welcome the prospect of lining up against fired up former teammate and skipper Robbie Farah if a mooted 2017 first round NRL encounter with South Sydney eventuates.

Farah's distinguished 14-season senior career at the Tigers finished at the end of the 2016 campaign.

The NSW and Australian representative was picked up by Souths, one of the Tigers traditional Sydney rivals.

It was reported in the Sydney Daily Telegraph on Monday the two clubs could clash in an opening round blockbuster at ANZ Stadium on March 3, though the draw won't be released till later in November.

"It would be a fiery clash," said Tigers' back rower Chris Lawrence, the club's longest serving player following Farah's departure.

"If that was the case, I think that would be great for the game.

"I'm sure it doesn't matter when we come up against the Rabbitohs, Robbie is going to be fired up and I'm sure he'll be looking to have a good game."

"I've spoken to him and saw him a few times in the off season and had a chat to him since he's been back (at Souths) and they are straight back into it. He's enjoying the new challenge," Lawrence said.

Lawrence played a straight bat when asked if Tigers' coach Jason Taylor was happier Farah was no longer at the club.

"It's day one (of pre-season training), everyone is happy to be getting back into it," he said.

He felt the Tigers would miss Farah's vast experience and highly rated young halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses needed to take control of the playmaking duties.

The centre turned back rower, who made his Tigers debut in 2008 and is closing in on 200 games, wants to remain a one-club man.

"I've signed for the next three years and hopefully I can finish my career here but as we all know, three years is a long time in rugby league," he said.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world