Robbie Farah scores a double as Tigers beat Manly in pouring rain

Wests Tigers old-stagers Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall have ensured the Michael Maguire era is off to a winning start with a 20-6 round-one NRL victory over Manly.

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Robbie Farah declared his match winning performance was “what was expected of him” after he led the Tigers to a 20-6 round one win against Manly.

The veteran hooker wound back the clock to produce a scintillating second half performance where he scored two tries for the first time in eight years, set up a crucial line break and forced two line-drop outs in a man of the match performance.

“That’s what expected of me as a senior player,” Farah said. “In those close games you have to take the game by the scruff of the neck and really control the game. I thought myself, Benji (Marshall) and Brooksy (Luke Brooks) did that. We came up with a few repeat sets and were patient.”

Robbie Farah wound back the clock to score two tries in the the Tigers’ opening round win against the Sea Eagles. Picture: Getty Images

The 35-year-old also produced an 80-minute performance to help the Tigers recover from a 2-0 half-time deficit in front of 13,159 people at Leichhardt Oval. Farah topped the Tigers tackle count with 43.

“I was cramping up towards the end there,” Farah said. “I lost both games here last year. As much as Leichhardt is a place we love playing at the results haven’t been that good in the last couple of years. It was important to show the crowd what we are going to be about this year.”

Tigers coach Michael Maguire said Farah’s performance was “outstanding.”

RARE REF INVOLVEMENT

It was one of the few times a referee’s involvement in a try has led to a try being disallowed. Tigers fullback Corey Thompson was viewed by the video referee to have been impeded by on-field official Adam Gee when Thompson went to scoop up a dropped bomb by teammate Robert Jennings in the first half.

Manly’s Curtis Sironen picked up the ball and scored before being denied. Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler said he had seen it once before.

“And I think that went against us too,” Hasler quipped.

Robbie Farah tackles Brendan Elliot at the Wests Tigers spiritual home of Leichhardt Oval.

MORE MANLY WOES

Hasler said Tom Trbojevic won’t be fit for their next round clash against the Roosters but even worse still is Hasler is not expecting his star fullback back until at least round four as he recovers from a hamstring injury.

Manly’s woes deepened after prop Addin Fonua-Blake was placed on report for diving at the legs of Marshall after the veteran kicked the ball. It was similar to Brisbane’s Matt Lodge’s tackle on Thursday night who is facing a two-week ban. Back-rower Joel Thompson was also placed on report for a trip on Thompson but he looked to have slipped before making contact.

Brendan Elliot of the Sea Eagles had a night to forget. Picture: Getty Images

HASLER RUES PERFORMANCE

With just 41 per cent possession somehow the Sea Eagles managed to lead at half-time. But that defensive workload took its toll in the second half.

“While you can reflect on the defensive workload,” Hasler said. “It’s great to be able to defend back-to-back sets, they kicked us off the park. We didn’t manage the ball well in our time with possession. It was just a weight of possession. 23 sets with the ball isn’t going to get it done.

“They were much more disciplined with the ball.”

Despite his side trailing at the break, Maguire said his team were composed as he gave his first half-time address as a Tigers coach.

“I have a lot of faith in what the boys showed me in the pre-season,” Maguire said. “At half-time they basically told me what they needed to be doing.”