State of Origin game 2: Robbie Farah defies medical staff, goes for broke in contact session

ROBBIE Farah has ignored the pleas of NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and Blues medical staff in a brutal contact session.

Robbie Farah passes during warm up for NSW Blue's State of Origin training at the Pacific Bay Resort,Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous

ROBBIE Farah has ignored the pleas of NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley and the Blues medical staff in a bid to silence any fears over his damaged shoulder.

The NSW hooker added that despite the likelihood of requiring painkilling injections prior to kick-off, he was a certain starter for Origin III on Wednesday night at the MCG — his first game in 21 days.

Suffering a grade-three AC joint shoulder injury in Origin I, Farah was considered no chance of featuring on Wednesday night for the Blues.

However, following around-the-clock physiotherapy, Farah has produced a remarkable recovery from an injury that usually takes four weeks to overcome.

Having failed to miss a single training session with the Blues in Coffs Harbour, Farah chose to go for broke during an opposed session on Saturday — much to the anxiety of Daley and his staff.

Robbie Farah tested out his injured shoulder in a contact session. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“We did an opposed session and Loz (Daley) was out the back screaming at me, not to get involved,’’ Farah said.

“But I was out there and I wanted to give the shoulder a good test, so I did a bit of contact and got through it all.

“They (medical staff) were keen to keep me in a bit of cotton wool, they didn’t want it flaring up four or five days out from the game.

“The best judge of your body is yourself, if I wasn’t confident I probably would have pulled myself out, but I was feeling really good and I wanted to give it a bit of a test.

“It was really good for my confidence.’’

Farah reittereated that for his own mental well-being ahead of the must-win match, it was imperative he applied as much pressure physically on the shoulder as possible.

“You don’t know how you’re going to go until you do a bit of contact,’’ Farah said.

“You can do all the ballwork you like, but until you do that, you’re not too sure.

“I got through more than the medical staff wanted me to and I pulled up good.

“I knew I would be ready to go, I think it was just more peace of mind (the opposed session).

“You don’t want to go into an Origin game not having done some sort of contact. So for me, it just gave me a bit peace of mind and clarity knowing that I’ll be okay.’’

Asked if he will verbally tell his NSW teammates he won’t let them down prior to walking out onto the MCG, Farah said: “I think they know that.’’

The last time Farah attended the MCG was to watch his favourite English Premier League club, Liverpool, play the Melbourne Victory in 2013.

He said the opportunity to play on the MCG was a dream come true, while adding Wednesday night was set to be one of the most significant matches of his career.

“There have been so many big games over the years,’’ Farah said.

“It’s hard to compare but it’s the biggest game at the moment.

“It’s do or die. We need to win this game, that’s how we are preparing.

“We need to show the desperation and win at all costs. It is a massive game.’’

Originally published as State of Origin game 2: Robbie Farah defies medical staff, goes for broke in contact session