Aaron Woods says the Tigers can overcome the Robbie Farah-Jason Taylor feud

NEW South Wales Origin prop Aaron Woods says the Tigers can overcome the feud between Robbie Farah and Jason Taylor and make the finals in 2016.

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WHEN Aaron Woods hit the phones for a recent Wests Tigers’ membership drive, the only thing fans wanted to know about was the ongoing feud between coach Jason Taylor and club favourite Robbie Farah.

Despite the drama, some were happy to renew their memberships on the spot.

“Some said they wanted to see how the Robbie saga goes before they renewed,’’ Woods told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“I said to them, ‘if I told you I knew what was going on, it would be a lie. All I can tell you is they have both been professional and kept it to themselves’.’’

If the Tigers are any chance to avoid missing a fifth straight finals series, they’ll need to resolve the tension between Taylor and the unwanted Farah.

It’s the biggest issue confronting the club. It remains to be seen if Farah will link with another club before the season starts _ or hangs around to collect his pay cheque and battles Matt Ballin for the starting No. 9 jumper.

Aaron Woods during a recent training session in Leichhardt. Pic: Gregg Porteous

The fact Farah is an Origin rake and Blues’ vice-captain makes the whole argument sound absurd, but Taylor is clear on his plans moving forward.

“All we know is Robbie will be there round one, and he’s been ripping in at training,’’ Woods said.

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“He’s one of the fittest blokes I’ve met. The older he gets, the smarter and fitter he gets. Just the way he looks after his body, he’s done that much rehab for his back (over the years), and watches what he eats ... he does all the one per centres.

“He’s come back with a brilliant attitude. And from how JT has been talking around the club, he still asks Robbie questions and how we can go better. They’re still having their one-on-one meetings and still talk.

Woods was one of the Tigers best in a troubled 2015 for the club.

“I haven’t spoken to Robbie about it. It that was me it would drive me insane. You’d go home and you’d have a million people asking you what’s going on, you come to training and get a million questions about what’s going on.

“I just want to make the eight next year. I’m sick of watching semi-final footy.’’

Woods is favourite to succeed Farah as captain for next year, an honour he’s happy to accept. But reaching September is his top goal. So is helping the Blues reclaim the Origin series where he’ll be joined by Farah and possibly a third teammate, fullback James Tedesco.

Woods, like Tedesco, had minor knee surgery during the off-season, and will resume full training next week.

After the departure of Keith Galloway, Marty Taupau, and the US troubles with sacked Matt Lodge, Woods finds himself a little light on forward partners.

He rattled off names like Dallas Graham, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Ipswich Jets’ recruits Billy McConnachie and Rod Griffin, and even Manly’s Brenton Lawrence, who has been linked to joint venture.

“We’ll be right. We’ll surprise a few people,’’ Woods said.

Originally published as Aaron Woods says the Tigers can overcome the Robbie Farah-Jason Taylor feud