Manaia Cherrington tipped to replace Robbie Farah as Tigers hooker

WITH Robbie Farah set to leave the club, the Tigers have thrown their faith behind 21-year old rookie Manaia Cherrington.

West's Tigers player Manaia Cherrington looks to pass during an open training session on Thursday morning ahead of their trial match against the Parramatta Eels at ANZAC Oval in Alice Springs on Friday...Picture: PHIL WILLIAMS

WITH Robbie Farah certain to either leave the Tigers or run around for their NSW Cup side in 2016, the question must be asked as to who will replace the long time skipper.

The man earmarked as Farah’s immediate replacement is 21-year-old Manaia Cherrington. The Junior Kiwi standout made his first grade debut earlier this season and has long been regarded by the club as their heir apparent to Farah.

Tigers Under 20s coach Brett Kimmorley said on Fox Sports’ Market Watch podcast that Cherrington and current Under 20s rake Jacob Liddle were he men most likely to replace Farah in the long term.

“Manaia Cherrington is a player who some of the fans have probably seen a little bit of this year, he’s played off the bench occasionally and he’s been in the system for three or four years, he’d be one player they’d be looking at.

“A gentleman in my side, the Under 20s, there’s a guy named Jacob Liddle. It’s his first year of 20s and he’s a very, very special player, but weather they’re ready for first grade on a full time level, we’d have to wait and see what happens with Robbie in the future.”

Cherrington has been in the Tigers system for several years.

Cherrington is a different style of player to Farah — he’s a run first type dummy half, more in the mould of Issac Luke, who thrives on quick ruck speed and will punish lazy defenders. The 21-year-old was named in the 2014 Under 20s Team of the Year and captained the Junior Kiwis in their win over the Junior Kangaroos at the end of last season.

The Quakers Hill junior was a part of the Auckland Nines squad earlier this season and made his NRL debut against the Titans in Round 13. He’s played nine matches since, all off the bench, and scored his first try against the Broncos in Round 19.

If the Tigers do decide to bet the farm on Cherrington he’ll be set for a big contract upgrade when his current deal expires next year.

Similar in style to Cherrington, Liddle is a deadly runner of the ball and the loose rucks and slow line speed of the underage competition suits him perfectly — he leads the entire competition in dummy half runs.

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A Wyong junior who played for the Australian Schoolboys last season, Liddle still has another season of Under 20s eligibility.

While the potential of Cherrington is obvious, it adds yet another element of inexperience to the Tigers’ already frightfully young side.

A spine of James Tedesco, Mitch Moses, Luke Brooks and Cherrington is high on upside and potential, but Tedesco would be the old man of the bunch at just 22.

The awkward timing of the Farah announcement means the market for short term, experienced replacements is rather thin. The club is likely on the lookout for a relatively experienced hooker who will join the Tigers on a one-year deal and can help ease the transition for Cherrington into first grade.

Dene Halatau is one player currently at the club who could perform such a role — he’s stepped in to cover hooker many times over his long career. However, Halatau is currently off contract and his prospects of gaining an extension are currently unknown.

Some off-contract veterans who might get the call from the Tigers include Heath L’Estrange, Glen Buttriss and Beau Falloon, while players such as Matt Srama, Kurt Baptiste and Jayden Hodges could be targeted with the hopes of gaining an early release.

It seems unlikely given their salary cap constraints, but a player like Manly warhorse Matt Ballin would be perfect for the joint venture club.

Originally published as Manaia Cherrington tipped to replace Robbie Farah as Tigers hooker