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Expect a little venom when Farah, Ennis clash
WILL SWANTON - SMH
ROBBIE FARAH'S rivalry with Michael Ennis is even more ferocious than you might think. Take it as read that the best two hookers in NSW enter tomorrow night's City-Country clash with burning points to prove. Farah was livid at being sacked for Ennis for the third Origin game last year; Ennis was mortified to miss a place on the Four Nations tour despite steering the Bulldogs to within one match of the NRL grand final after Farah's Wests Tigers failed to reach the play-offs.
There is mutual respect between the two rakes, and also animosity.
When the Herald approached Farah for an interview this week, he replied: ''No worries, mate. Just no questions about Origin or Ennis.''
But for Farah, this week is all about Origin. And Ennis.
''I've always said if you're worrying about who you're up against and trying to outplay him, you get away from what you really want to achieve in a game like this,'' Farah said. ''I've been around a while now and I've learned I just need to go out and play my own game, stick to the structures the coach wants and get a job done for my team. It's not just about my performance. Go ask any hooker or halfback out there, the way we play depends on the platform laid by our forwards and the people around us … If the team goes well collectively, I'm sure my performance will be good.''
Farah is not human if he does not want to smash Ennis tomorrow night. He was made one of the fall guys for NSW losing the first two Origin games last year and his pride is still dented. Ennis was instrumental in the Blues' victory in game three and when his tough-as-teak style helped the Bulldogs deep into the finals, a place in the touring Australian squad seemed assured. Farah's club coach, Tim Sheens, was also the national coach and when the Bulldogs joined the dots, rightly or wrongly, they came up with one word: favouritism.
That Farah now has two Test appearances to his credit would make Ennis apoplectic. A battle royale is coming. ''I would have loved the chance in game three to redeem myself for that second game performance,'' Farah said. ''I didn't get it but I'm hungry now to get back in there.''
The real Farah did not stand up in Origin last year. Errors, poor options - he was unrecognisable as the club skipper piloting his NRL side with precision most weeks. But any outside criticism is a feather duster compared to the beating he gives himself.
''The captaincy at the Tigers the last couple of years has taught me a lot,'' he said. ''I feel a lot more experienced now in these big games … But I'm still looking for that perfect performance every time I go out.''
Farah was speaking before his City team left for Port Macquarie. Ennis had already headed north. He was not approached for an interview but here's another given. His reply would have been: ''No worries, mate. Just no questions about Origin or Farah … ''
WILL SWANTON - SMH
ROBBIE FARAH'S rivalry with Michael Ennis is even more ferocious than you might think. Take it as read that the best two hookers in NSW enter tomorrow night's City-Country clash with burning points to prove. Farah was livid at being sacked for Ennis for the third Origin game last year; Ennis was mortified to miss a place on the Four Nations tour despite steering the Bulldogs to within one match of the NRL grand final after Farah's Wests Tigers failed to reach the play-offs.
There is mutual respect between the two rakes, and also animosity.
When the Herald approached Farah for an interview this week, he replied: ''No worries, mate. Just no questions about Origin or Ennis.''
But for Farah, this week is all about Origin. And Ennis.
''I've always said if you're worrying about who you're up against and trying to outplay him, you get away from what you really want to achieve in a game like this,'' Farah said. ''I've been around a while now and I've learned I just need to go out and play my own game, stick to the structures the coach wants and get a job done for my team. It's not just about my performance. Go ask any hooker or halfback out there, the way we play depends on the platform laid by our forwards and the people around us … If the team goes well collectively, I'm sure my performance will be good.''
Farah is not human if he does not want to smash Ennis tomorrow night. He was made one of the fall guys for NSW losing the first two Origin games last year and his pride is still dented. Ennis was instrumental in the Blues' victory in game three and when his tough-as-teak style helped the Bulldogs deep into the finals, a place in the touring Australian squad seemed assured. Farah's club coach, Tim Sheens, was also the national coach and when the Bulldogs joined the dots, rightly or wrongly, they came up with one word: favouritism.
That Farah now has two Test appearances to his credit would make Ennis apoplectic. A battle royale is coming. ''I would have loved the chance in game three to redeem myself for that second game performance,'' Farah said. ''I didn't get it but I'm hungry now to get back in there.''
The real Farah did not stand up in Origin last year. Errors, poor options - he was unrecognisable as the club skipper piloting his NRL side with precision most weeks. But any outside criticism is a feather duster compared to the beating he gives himself.
''The captaincy at the Tigers the last couple of years has taught me a lot,'' he said. ''I feel a lot more experienced now in these big games … But I'm still looking for that perfect performance every time I go out.''
Farah was speaking before his City team left for Port Macquarie. Ennis had already headed north. He was not approached for an interview but here's another given. His reply would have been: ''No worries, mate. Just no questions about Origin or Farah … ''
