Robbie Farah will be fired up for blockbuster round one clash with Tigers, says Chris Lawrence

ROBBIE Farah taking on the Tigers is easily the standout storyline of round one. Former teammate Chris Lawrence says the Rabbitohs hooker will be up for the occasion.

Robbie Farah will be fired up for his round one clash with the Tigers

CHRIS Lawrence knows good mate Robbie Farah will be ‘’fired up’’ when he runs out against his former Wests Tigers teammates in Friday night’s opener.

Easily the NRL’s best round-one storyline, Farah will be out to impress new club South Sydney while also trying to embarrass the Tigers - or more specifically coach Jason Taylor - after being shown the door after 14 seasons.

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The Farah v Tigers is a blockbuster storyline in the opening round of NRL

Lawrence spent a decade playing along side Farah, and knows the hooker will need little motivation to have a big game at ANZ Stadium.

“He’ll be fired up, he’s a really competitive guy,’’ Lawrence said.

“Not only because it is against us, but being his first game for a new club, he’s definitely going to be fired up and want to put in a big performance.

“For me personally it will be weird. I’ve played all my footy with Robbie, but after the first couple of minutes and tackles and runs, it will be like a regular game.’’

Farah’s dummy-half successor, Matt Ballin, is returning from a second knee reconstruction and was again limited in what he could do at training this morning.

Robbie Farah will be fired up for his round one clash with the Tigers

Should he miss the Souths clash, Matt McIlwrick will be starting hooker.

Teenage rookie Moses Suli also spent a lot of time training on the left wing and is pressing for a possible start against fellow debutant Braidon Burns.