New Rabbitohs recruit Robbie Farah says he and coach Michael Maguire are ‘similar people’

HAVING spectacularly fallen out with successive Tigers coaches, Robbie Farah says he and Souths boss Michael Maguire are “similar people”.

New Rabbitohs recruit Robbie Farah says he and coach Michael Maguire are ‘similar people’.

HAVING spectacularly fallen out with successive Wests Tigers coaches, Robbie Farah has welcomed the opportunity to work with Souths boss Michael Maguire, saying: “We’re similar people”.

Starting life as a Rabbitoh, Farah is convinced his dramas of the past three seasons — which included fierce clashes with Tigers coaches Mick Potter and Jason Taylor — will not follow him to Redfern HQ.

Apart from being among the highest profile recruits of 2017, Farah is also looking to end a troubled history with clipboard carriers after his most recent fallout with Taylor saw him axed by the Tigers after 14 years service.

NEW MAN: How Crowe lured Farah to ‘family club’

Robbie Farah says he and new coach Michael Maguire are ‘similar people’.

The NSW Origin hooker also had an ugly public spat with Potter, who was sacked after only two years, and back in 2012 was linked to a senior player revolt blamed for ending the NRL career of then Tigers coach Tim Sheens.

Yet despite his dramas at club level, the 32-year-old boasts a strong relationship with current NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and also considers former Blues mentor Ricky Stuart among his closest mates.

It is a bond Farah now expects to develop with Maguire, too.

Asked about working with the Souths coach, the Origin star told The Daily Telegraph: “He’s just real honest, that’s what drew me to him.

“Madge and I first met last year, when I was initially told I could leave Wests Tigers. Nothing eventuated but then we spoke again this year when stuff came up again.

“And I really liked how upfront he was about everything when we met. That’s something I love.

“There’s nothing better than honesty and Madge is definitely straight up and down.

“Some people don’t like that but I certainly do.

Michael Maguire during Souths training at Redfern Oval. pic Mark Evans

“I actually think we’re pretty similar. Both prefer to tell it how it is.

“Sometimes that might rub people the wrong way but it’s first grade football ... if you can’t take some honesty you shouldn’t be here.”

Only last week Maguire inked a new deal that will see him at Souths until the end of 2019.

And Farah revealed that it was a series of long discussion with the coach, Hollywood owner Russell Crowe and senior players like Greg Inglis and Sam Burgess that “made me feel wanted again”.

“Madge is a great man,’’ Farah continued. “And he also seems like a really great coach.

“Having spoken with him and some of the other guys, I know how determined they are to turn around the results of last season.

“They know it isn’t going to take much to put Souths at the top again.”

The Rabbitohs will be one of five NRL clubs who return to training on Tuesday on Melbourne Cup Day, joining Canterbury, Manly, the Roosters and Newcastle.

Warriors recruit Kieran Foran will also have his first official workout on Wednesday, when players from the Auckland-based outfit return.

Robbie Farah sits up on the scoreboard drinking beers after the Tigers last game of 2016. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Apart from having spoken at length with several Souths players during his contract negotiations — most notably internationals Burgess and Inglis — Farah revealed he had also done some private off-season training work with several new teammates.

Asked if the off-season had provided some welcome relief from the dramas of season 2016, Farah continued: “Every season is tough but it’s been a bit more so this year.

“But I’ve been fine.

“It’s not like what happened came all of a sudden.

“It was drawn out over a long time so I already had my head around it. And having already made my decision to move to Souths, that was a massive weight off my shoulders and a big relief.

“It meant I felt really comfortable and was able to enjoy my break.”

Originally published as New Rabbitohs recruit Robbie Farah says he and coach Michael Maguire are ‘similar people’