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Robbie Farah will not play in NRL All Stars because after winning tickets to Super Bowl 50

ROBBIE Farah will not be playing in the NRL All Stars match next month because he has won tickets to Super Bowl 50 in the United States.

Wests Tigers training
Wests Tigers training

ROBBIE Farah will not be playing in the NRL All Stars match next month because he has won tickets to Super Bowl 50 in the United States.

Farah paid $15,000 of his own money in a charity auction to secure the once-in-a-lifetime prize, which includes airfares, accommodation and two tickets to the match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The game will be played on February 7, just one week before the All Stars match, and by the time Farah flies back the NRL Stars will already be in training camp for their February 13 match against the indigenous All Stars.

Farah didn’t realise the conflict of schedule when he bid for the tickets, and received clearance from his club Wests Tigers long ago to attend the match, which will feature half-time entertainment from Coldplay, Beyonce and Bruno Mars.

While Farah is well-known as a Liverpool FC supporter, he is also a huge NFL supporter and has spent much time discussing the intricacies of the game with mate Jarryd Hayne. Coincidentally, Super Bowl 50 will be played at the home of Hayne’s franchise, the San Francisco 49ers, and will be one of the most watched sporting events in history, with 30-second commercials during the broadcast costing a record $US5 million.

To give an idea of demand for tickets to the game, 49ers fans who purchased season tickets to Levi’s for up to $80,000 were told they’d be able to purchase Super Bowl tickets at face value, but now look set to miss out due to an overwhelming rush. Online sites are advertising tickets for $12,000 each.

CASH-STRAPPED TIGERS CAN’T COVER MOSS PAYOUT

THE internal troubles at the Wests Tigers have continued after revelations the club can’t afford to pay out recently departed general manager of football operations Phil Moss.

Moss, who joined the Tigers in October 2014, officially parted ways with the club on Thursday.

The club put out a short statement saying Moss was no longer with the organisation and thanked him for his services.

It’s understood the former boss of football operations at Penrith didn’t get along with Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe, which contributed to his exit.

It was always going to end in tears because Pascoe and Moss both went for the Tigers’ CEO job. The pair had previously worked together at Penrith but rarely saw eye to eye.

Jason Taylor hasn’t had an easy time since taking over as Wests Tigers coach.
Jason Taylor hasn’t had an easy time since taking over as Wests Tigers coach.

Moss, who could easily command a $200,000 annual salary, is yet to receive any money from the Tigers, who have promised the funds will be paid in instalments.

One Tigers player, who didn’t want to be named, told this column the playing group were upset over Moss’s sudden departure.

“We thought all the internal bickering was over and now this happens,’’ he said.

“It’s disappointing because the boys all liked Phil and he was a good operator.”

So Moss’s departure is another sad reminder that the Tigers football club remains in turmoil with another unwanted headline adding to their already chaotic summer.

Despite his exit from the Tigers, Moss would have no trouble picking up a new club.

It’s understood up to four NRL clubs, including Newcastle and the Gold Coast, would be interested in his services.

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Originally published as Robbie Farah will not play in NRL All Stars because after winning tickets to Super Bowl 50

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/tigers/robbie-farah-will-not-play-in-nrl-all-stars-because-after-winning-tickets-to-super-bowl-50/news-story/eb984146868cdb4aaf625e2fe38f37fd