Robbie Farah sparks Wests Tigers to upset 20-16 win over Dragons
ROBBIE Farah and Benji Marshall turned back time to star in Wests Tigers’ crucial 20-16 win over the Dragons and their club’s finals hopes alive.
NRL
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THEY have a combined age of 77 and have played a total of 557 NRL games. Robbie and Benji, back together in black and gold.
Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall turned back time to star in Wests Tigers’ crucial 20-16 win over heavyweights St George Illawarra at Jubilee Oval.
They hadn’t played together for Wests Tigers since round 26, 2013. Six long years.
Yet here they were scheming, running, kicking and defending to keep the Tigers’ finals hopes alive.
Marshall, 33, has played 282 NRL matches, while Farah, 34, has played 275 NRL games.
Farah had two try assists against the Dragons. What was Jason Taylor thinking?
Marshall popped up everywhere. It was like old times.
Asked about reuniting with Marshall, Farah said: “We were pretty excited all week. It felt a bit surreal. I think we are both different players now to 10 or 15 years ago. Definitely a lot slower.
“The maturity there at times during that game really helped get us that win, especially in that second half.
“I was brought here to do a job and it wasn’t just about the story. For me to come back, I had to provide a bit of direction for the side, play a bit of footy in the middle and help move us around the park.
“I was happy with my form individually but, more importantly, we got the win. To come here with our season on the line and put in a performance like that, it was pretty gritty. It keeps our season alive.”
Marshall was equally thrilled to again line up with Farah.
“It was really special,” Marshall said.
“The good thing was it didn’t feel different, we were on the same page.
“I thought he controlled around the ruck really well. In my opinion, I thought he was the best player on the field today.
“He picked his moments when to run and he kept the team calm. In the huddle, he pulled everyone together.”
Farah’s brilliance broke the game open in the 59th minute.
He handled three times in one play, threw a gorgeous dummy and then grubber-kicked for winger David Nofoaluma to score. The conversion pushed Wests Tigers ahead 18-6.
It came after Farah threw a delightful pass from dummy half in the 46th minute to push Moses Mbye through a hole before Corey Thompson scored out wide. This was vintage Farah.
Marshall had flashes of brilliance in a scheming and at times exciting performance. He also pulled off a trysaving tackle early in the second half on Dragons forward Tariq Sims, who looked set to score.
“That was my job, to make that tackle,” Marshall said.
Wests Tigers were controlled, while the Dragons appeared flat. Only in the final 10 minutes did Saints come alive and even then they nearly pinched it late.
Tigers coach Ivan Cleary praised Farah’s contribution.
“He is a class player. He touches the ball more than anyone else,” Cleary said.
“That’s what you want in those big-decision moments when it really counts.
“Robbie came up with some really good options. That is the sort of thing we have been lacking throughout the year.
“I was happy today. We haven’t won for like six weeks.”
Farah will now focus on his 250th NRL game for Wests Tigers against South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. John Sutton will contest his 300th first grade match for the Rabbitohs.
WESTS TIGERS 20 (L Brooks D Nofoaluma C Thompson tries E Marsters 4 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 16 (M Dufty B Hunt G Widdop tries G Widdop 2 goals) at Jubilee Oval. Referee: Ben Cummins, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski. Crowd: 15,992