Tigers coach Jason Taylor won’t guarantee Robbie Farah’s starting spot

THE messy Robbie Farah has rolled into the 2016 preseason after Tigers coach Jason Taylor refused to give any assurance the hooker would start next year.

Wests Tigers training

THE messy Robbie Farah has officially rolled into the 2016 preseason after Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor yesterday refused point-blank to give any assurance the star hooker would start next year in first grade.

Farah returned to Wests Tigers training yesterday for the club’s first off-season session, despite being told in August he could move on.

There are increasing suggestions Taylor may use recruitment target Matt Ballin and rising dummy-half Manaia Cherrington ahead of Farah this coming season.

Told by The Daily Telegraph it was bizarre that a coach wouldn’t guarantee a starting spot for an incumbent NSW player, Taylor conceded: “Okay, it’s unusual.”

Despite being pressed on the matter, Taylor simply would not endorse Farah at the Tigers’ first-choice hooker for round one.

“There will be competition for that spot, that’s pretty clear, as there should be,” Taylor said.

“He will be considered for the first grade team every week as will every other player in the fulltime squad. The decisions around the team will be based on how individuals train and how we train as a team over the course of the next few months. That will continue right through the season.”

Taylor is aware his stance is dividing fans, but has stuck to his decision to look beyond Farah.

“We want to move this club forward in the best and fastest fashion. That’s what our decisions are based around every single day,” Taylor said.

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“The decisions we make on all of these subjects are based on what we believe is best for the club’s future.

“There are decisions that are quite emotional for our fans and members but the facts are, we have been down the bottom of the competition for a number of years and some tough calls have had to be made for us to move our way back up the table. That’s what this is about. I don’t shy away from that.”

It would be unthinkable that a Blues Origin hooker started next season in NSW Cup.

Taylor said three months ago that Farah should move on to continue his career. He wasn’t backing down yesterday.

“Let me say, this, I am extremely comfortable if Robbie remains. It is possible that Robbie could go to a rival club and really get a breath of fresh air and new lease of life and play some great footy. That’s still possible,” Taylor said.

Farah claimed he wasn’t going to leave. And he was true to word, turning at 8am yesterday for training at Leichhardt Oval No.2.

“We knew that was happening. Robbie has been very clear with us as to the fact he wants to stay here. So, that’s what we’re doing and we’ll get on with it,” Taylor said. “It (whether he stays) is still totally Robbie’s call. If that (staying) is his attitude, then that’s what will happen.”

Pressed on the impending signing of Ballin, Taylor said: “It’s right the club is in talks with Matt Ballin. Nothing has been finalised but it’s getting fairly close. And that just means there is really good competition for that position.”

Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods is ready to assume the captaincy after Farah stood down as skipper last weekend.

Supporting his mate Farah, Woods said: “He said he was going to come back and he’s that keen to rip in at training. It’s his decision. Robbie is up there, he’s one of the best. But I’m not the coach of the coach. He’ll be vying for a spot, he has to train hard in the off-season and if he’s there round one, he’ll be in contention.”

Originally published as Tigers coach Jason Taylor won’t guarantee Robbie Farah’s starting spot