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ROBBIE Farah sits down, orders a coffee and reveals the advice that inspired his performance in the opening State of Origin game.
"I probably speak to Freddie (former NSW captain Brad Fittler) a bit," Farah said.
"I see him as a good mate. He gives me some tips on games and what I need to do. He said 'you know you have the skill and talent, just play straight and tough'.
"That was in my head. I write that on my game sheet for the Tigers in the month leading up to Origin. That's what I wanted to do in my game.
"There were two criticisms of my game – maybe that we play too lateral at the Tigers and that I was so-called 'not tough enough'.
"I guess that was the message that I got out of it and I tried to get out and show it."
Farah did just that in Origin I. He started the match with a question mark over his ability to handle the game's biggest stage and finished it as one of the most important players in a side attempting to avoid a seventh consecutive series defeat to Queensland.
As he sits in the lobby of the NSW team hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Farah has every right to feel satisfied. He answered his critics at Etihad Stadium with the best performance of his three-game Origin career. Such is coach Ricky Stuart's faith in his ability to play 80 minutes, he dispensed with utility Jamie Buhrer as one of his interchange players.
Even before the side was selected for Origin II, Stuart was already plotting victory with Farah and halves Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce, reviewing their performance in Origin I and pointing out the steps they could take to ensure their attack scored points in Sydney.
When Farah came into camp last week, he entered with his position secure. His attitude has reflected that. He has made a conscious effort to be more of a leader, as he is at the Tigers.
Farah always believed he belonged in this arena. Now others do as well. "It's hard for me to talk about because in my mind I always had the belief in myself," he said.
"The whole time when I was getting criticised, I just tried to shut it out because I knew if I let it affect my form, it would.
"I just tried to play good footy and pick myself really. I got the chance in Game I and wanted to make the most of it.
"The last time I was in Origin I had let myself down and a lot of people down. I wanted to get back there and prove I was better than what I showed that second game in 2009\. Ricky showed the faith in me in game one by picking me. I wanted to go out and repay that and play for him and play for the jersey.
"For him to come out after the game and support me, and say the things he said about me, I think that's the biggest compliment I could have gotten.
"It's all good getting compliments from your friends and family, but when the coach says it . . ."
If Farah had his way, he would have played Game II the next day. As it was, it has been a three-week wait for everyone involved with NSW.
More than 80,000 are expected to fill ANZ Stadium tonight hoping to see the Blues level the series. The alternative is unthinkable for Farah and anyone else from NSW.
"I could have played the next day," he said. "After the game, after you lose like that, you just want to get out there and play again. It was hard knowing you have to go back to club and perform there.
"Mentally, it's tough. You come off this massive high in Origin and then you have to back up and play again. But the boys made it real easy for me.
"The fact we have had a couple of good wins, too, is pleasing. Now I come back in here just looking forward to turning things around.
"As Ricky said, it is going to be an atmosphere you have never experienced. I have played a grand final at Homebush. I think this is going to be even bigger.
"It's going to be a sea of blue. I think the state and everyone can just sense the passion and pride in the build-up to this game."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/farah-out-to-prove-he-is-tough-enough/story-e6frg7mf-1226393532596
"I probably speak to Freddie (former NSW captain Brad Fittler) a bit," Farah said.
"I see him as a good mate. He gives me some tips on games and what I need to do. He said 'you know you have the skill and talent, just play straight and tough'.
"That was in my head. I write that on my game sheet for the Tigers in the month leading up to Origin. That's what I wanted to do in my game.
"There were two criticisms of my game – maybe that we play too lateral at the Tigers and that I was so-called 'not tough enough'.
"I guess that was the message that I got out of it and I tried to get out and show it."
Farah did just that in Origin I. He started the match with a question mark over his ability to handle the game's biggest stage and finished it as one of the most important players in a side attempting to avoid a seventh consecutive series defeat to Queensland.
As he sits in the lobby of the NSW team hotel in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Farah has every right to feel satisfied. He answered his critics at Etihad Stadium with the best performance of his three-game Origin career. Such is coach Ricky Stuart's faith in his ability to play 80 minutes, he dispensed with utility Jamie Buhrer as one of his interchange players.
Even before the side was selected for Origin II, Stuart was already plotting victory with Farah and halves Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce, reviewing their performance in Origin I and pointing out the steps they could take to ensure their attack scored points in Sydney.
When Farah came into camp last week, he entered with his position secure. His attitude has reflected that. He has made a conscious effort to be more of a leader, as he is at the Tigers.
Farah always believed he belonged in this arena. Now others do as well. "It's hard for me to talk about because in my mind I always had the belief in myself," he said.
"The whole time when I was getting criticised, I just tried to shut it out because I knew if I let it affect my form, it would.
"I just tried to play good footy and pick myself really. I got the chance in Game I and wanted to make the most of it.
"The last time I was in Origin I had let myself down and a lot of people down. I wanted to get back there and prove I was better than what I showed that second game in 2009\. Ricky showed the faith in me in game one by picking me. I wanted to go out and repay that and play for him and play for the jersey.
"For him to come out after the game and support me, and say the things he said about me, I think that's the biggest compliment I could have gotten.
"It's all good getting compliments from your friends and family, but when the coach says it . . ."
If Farah had his way, he would have played Game II the next day. As it was, it has been a three-week wait for everyone involved with NSW.
More than 80,000 are expected to fill ANZ Stadium tonight hoping to see the Blues level the series. The alternative is unthinkable for Farah and anyone else from NSW.
"I could have played the next day," he said. "After the game, after you lose like that, you just want to get out there and play again. It was hard knowing you have to go back to club and perform there.
"Mentally, it's tough. You come off this massive high in Origin and then you have to back up and play again. But the boys made it real easy for me.
"The fact we have had a couple of good wins, too, is pleasing. Now I come back in here just looking forward to turning things around.
"As Ricky said, it is going to be an atmosphere you have never experienced. I have played a grand final at Homebush. I think this is going to be even bigger.
"It's going to be a sea of blue. I think the state and everyone can just sense the passion and pride in the build-up to this game."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/farah-out-to-prove-he-is-tough-enough/story-e6frg7mf-1226393532596
