Wests Tigers v Cowboys: young stars ready to stand tall in absence of skipper Robbie Farah

STRUGGLING Wests Tigers will be without Blues skipper Robbie Farah for their clash on Saturday, but the Tiger cubs are ready to pounce on the Thurston-less Cowboys.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Robbie Farah of the Wests Tigers looks dejected after a Roosters try during the round nine NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium on May 8, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

IT IS common knowledge the North Queensland Cowboys struggle without star playmaker Johnathan Thurston — but you’d never have guessed the Wests Tigers do it just as tough without their own skipper and new NSW leader Robbie Farah.

The Tigers and Cowboys will do battle out west at Campbelltown on Saturday night minus their Origin stars, including Farah and Thurston.

While the Cowboys’ win percentage drops alarmingly from 54 per cent to 30 per cent when Thurston is unavailable, the numbers are equally damning for the Tigers without Farah.

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James Tedesco, left, and Luke Brooks are ready to increase their responsibility in the absence of Robbie Farah. Picture: Mark Evans

Farah doesn’t have the bag of tricks like Thurston, but his work rate and leadership is crucial for the joint venture.

Throw in the fact the Tigers will also miss NSW prop Aaron Woods — arguably the game’s best front-rower — and Cowboys’ duo Matt Scott and James Tamou, and tipsters will be scratching their heads when it comes time to enter their tips.

Big Keith Galloway was happy to put his hand up and lead from the front for the Tigers, especially without his bearded mate Woods beside him.

“I haven’t played well the past couple of weeks, and now without Woodsy there, I need to step up big time,’’ Galloway said.

“He does a hell of a lot of work, and he’s our forwards leader.

“He’s got a massive engine, he’s really fit, he’s got a good footy brain and good footwork. He’s the whole package, and will only get better with age.

“I started off the season OK, I missed a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury, and I need to start picking it up again.’’

Halfback Luke Brooks and fullback James Tedesco — two players who will feature on the Origin arena in the coming years — told The Daily Telegraph they would have to shoulder some of the responsibility now Farah was gone.

“It will be a good challenge for us without two of our experienced guys, and we don’t have too much other experience because of a lot of the young guys here,’’ Tedesco said.

The Cowboys will be without Johnathan Thurston for the Tigers clash. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Missing their leadership will be the biggest thing. Woodsy is our best forward in terms of metres and hit-ups, while Farah takes that leadership role and takes some of the pressure off us guys in the spine.’’

Tedesco said not having to defend Thurston’s kicking game would be welcomed, given the Queenslander’s ability to forever find the corners the last time he played against him.

Brooks was keen to test himself against Thurston, but from a team point of view, “we’re glad he won’t be there’’.

“’JT’ competes in every play, he’s always around the ball, and in defence, if a team makes a break, he’s back there trying to stop them — he’s just a competitor,’’ Brooks said.

The Tigers have disappointed the past couple of weeks, especially against Newcastle when they were nearly at full strength, and will be keen for a consistently 80-minute performance.

Originally published as Wests Tigers v Cowboys: young stars ready to stand tall in absence of skipper Robbie Farah