Tigers begin post-Farah era with a win

James Tedesco has revealed the Wests Tigers are set to play an expansive brand of football in the post-Robbie Farah era.

James Tedesco of the Tigers

Wests Tigers' James Tedesco is vowing his side will be the NRL's new entertainers. (AAP)

The Wests Tigers say they've moved on from the Robbie Farah era with James Tedesco vowing his side will be the NRL's new entertainers.

Farah cut a frustrated figure against his former team, and had repeated run-ins with his ex-teammates as the Tigers ran over the top of the Rabbitohs 34-18 at ANZ Stadium.

The NSW hooker was also involved in plenty of niggle and at one time had heated words with Mitchell Moses after the Wests Tigers No.6 was slow to get to his feet following a Farah tackle.

"It was always going to happen," Tigers skipper Aaron Woods said of the verbal sparring between Farah and the Tigers.

"It's been a long build up and it's just footy. I didn't want him to get the better of me and likewise.

"I think the boys did really well, it was a big distraction all week and we said 'if we focus too much energy on Robbie, we won't play good footy'."

After 14 years at the club, the premiership-winning rake was forced out of joint-venture after being dumped to reserve grade by coach Jason Taylor last year.

Taylor has staked his future to young halves Moses and Luke Brooks and NSW fullback Tedesco and their new dawn promised plenty.

The Tigers showed they have a bright future in front of them, providing they can keep all three of their off-contract stars beyond this season.

Tedesco was a stand-out in the rout, having a hand in four of his side's six tries.

His try from a standing start in the first half showcased his ability to create something out of nothing and proved the catalyst for the Tigers taking control of the game.

The 24-year-old said the Tigers have adopted an free-spirited approached and wouldn't be afraid to throw the ball around this year.

"In the past we've been worried about making errors," Tedesco said.

"But when you have a clear head and are backing yourself and backing others around you, then those things come off.

"In past years we've probably been restricted in playing some footy but this year we've got free reign to offload and play footy off the cuff. That's when we play our best."


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Source: AAP


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