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Balmain great Steve Roach says Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah not suited to State of Origin
Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
April 29, 2012 11:04PM
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Steve Roach says Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens should not try to interfere with State of Origin selection. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
WESTS Tigers captain Robbie Farah has been caught in the crossfire of rugby league's newest feud - Tim Sheens v Ricky Stuart.
In the wake of the Tigers' bizarre 31-30 win against the Eels yesterday, club legend Steve Roach told Sheens to "butt out of trying to pick the NSW team".
And on Farah, Roach last night said: "Robbie is a great player … His game doesn't suit Origin."
Farah, like his Tigers teammates, performed well for 67 minutes yesterday as they piled on a 31-0 lead. But the Eels' remarkable finish - 30 points in 13 minutes - is sure to add weight to doubts voiced by longtime Blues official Roach.
The sudden feud between the NSW and Australian coaches has stunned rugby league.
Sheens coached Stuart at Canberra when the Raiders won premierships in 1989, 1990 and 1994\. Stuart also played for NSW when Sheens was Blues coach.
Their seemingly unbreakable bond has been snapped after Sheens used a press conference last week to push for Farah to be NSW hooker and also questioned Stuart's selection policy.
The comments riled Stuart, who has been offered unsolicited advice from all corners, including the architect of Queensland's success, Wayne Bennett.
Stuart used his column in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph to suggest Sheens was weighing in on Blues selection issues to hide issues at his own club.
Roach went further.
"No one butts in when Sheens picks his side," Roach said. "He should get off Ricky's case. Sheens talks about sticking solid - maybe he should do the same.
"Sheens is a New South Welshman, isn't he? Why doesn't he try and help Ricky rather than hinder him. No one knows State of Origin like Ricky Stuart. For the last 20 years, the coach has picked the team in State of Origin."
After yesterday's game, Sheens refused to comment beyond saying: "I am not talking State of Origin, I am only talking about the game."
But Roach also stressed Farah should be overlooked for NSW in favour of Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus.
"Robbie is a great player and I gave him man of the match in City-Country," Roach said. "But his game doesn't suit Origin. You can't do in Origin what you do in club games. You need more than just skill and guile."
Queenslanders were having a quiet chuckle yesterday at the drama.
"They (Stuart and Sheens) are entitled to their opinions but it wouldn't happen in Queensland," Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan said.
Former Tigers champion Benny Elias was split between supporting Sheens or Stuart.
"I'm surprised they would have a feud - if that's what it is - in public," Elias said.
"These two have such a great history. Ricky is his own man and won't be influenced by anyone, not even the Australian coach.
"Ricky has been there, done that and experienced it all.
"But I do think Ricky should listen to the Australian coach. Tim has earned the right to comment. He has been a godsend for the Tigers."
NSW and Test legend Brad Fittler added: "I know Ricky talks to a lot of people. That is the key to his position ... take in information that helps him and reject the rest."
Dean Ritchie
The Daily Telegraph
April 29, 2012 11:04PM
\
\
Steve Roach says Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens should not try to interfere with State of Origin selection. Picture: Mark Evans Source: The Daily Telegraph
WESTS Tigers captain Robbie Farah has been caught in the crossfire of rugby league's newest feud - Tim Sheens v Ricky Stuart.
In the wake of the Tigers' bizarre 31-30 win against the Eels yesterday, club legend Steve Roach told Sheens to "butt out of trying to pick the NSW team".
And on Farah, Roach last night said: "Robbie is a great player … His game doesn't suit Origin."
Farah, like his Tigers teammates, performed well for 67 minutes yesterday as they piled on a 31-0 lead. But the Eels' remarkable finish - 30 points in 13 minutes - is sure to add weight to doubts voiced by longtime Blues official Roach.
The sudden feud between the NSW and Australian coaches has stunned rugby league.
Sheens coached Stuart at Canberra when the Raiders won premierships in 1989, 1990 and 1994\. Stuart also played for NSW when Sheens was Blues coach.
Their seemingly unbreakable bond has been snapped after Sheens used a press conference last week to push for Farah to be NSW hooker and also questioned Stuart's selection policy.
The comments riled Stuart, who has been offered unsolicited advice from all corners, including the architect of Queensland's success, Wayne Bennett.
Stuart used his column in yesterday's Sunday Telegraph to suggest Sheens was weighing in on Blues selection issues to hide issues at his own club.
Roach went further.
"No one butts in when Sheens picks his side," Roach said. "He should get off Ricky's case. Sheens talks about sticking solid - maybe he should do the same.
"Sheens is a New South Welshman, isn't he? Why doesn't he try and help Ricky rather than hinder him. No one knows State of Origin like Ricky Stuart. For the last 20 years, the coach has picked the team in State of Origin."
After yesterday's game, Sheens refused to comment beyond saying: "I am not talking State of Origin, I am only talking about the game."
But Roach also stressed Farah should be overlooked for NSW in favour of Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus.
"Robbie is a great player and I gave him man of the match in City-Country," Roach said. "But his game doesn't suit Origin. You can't do in Origin what you do in club games. You need more than just skill and guile."
Queenslanders were having a quiet chuckle yesterday at the drama.
"They (Stuart and Sheens) are entitled to their opinions but it wouldn't happen in Queensland," Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan said.
Former Tigers champion Benny Elias was split between supporting Sheens or Stuart.
"I'm surprised they would have a feud - if that's what it is - in public," Elias said.
"These two have such a great history. Ricky is his own man and won't be influenced by anyone, not even the Australian coach.
"Ricky has been there, done that and experienced it all.
"But I do think Ricky should listen to the Australian coach. Tim has earned the right to comment. He has been a godsend for the Tigers."
NSW and Test legend Brad Fittler added: "I know Ricky talks to a lot of people. That is the key to his position ... take in information that helps him and reject the rest."
