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Robbie Farah says you can judge the quality of the New Zealand rugby league pack by the players who haven't been picked as he prepares to face clubmate Benji Marshall for only the second time.
Wests Tigers hooker Farah has been named on Australia's interchange bench for Saturday week's one-off Test against the Kiwis in Townsville.
He was impressed by the pack they will throw at the Kangaroos.
"You can judge the quality of the team by the players they've left out, (Jared) Waerea-Hargreaves not making it, Adam Blair not making the squad," Farah said.
"When you leave players of this calibre out it just goes to show how good a pack it is."
New Zealand will be captained by Marshall, his longstanding teammate at the Tigers.
"I've only played against him the once before, it will be always interesting and always tough," Farah said.
"He's the sort of player where you are not too sure what he's going to throw up at you, you've just got to expect anything."
Farah is not unfamiliar with being on the opposite end of his clubmate's wizardry.
"I get that (his array of skills) at training every week when we try to defend against him," Farah said.
"He's the sort of player where if you give him time and space he can really cut you apart."
Farah pointed out Marshall's game was well known to Kangaroos and former long-serving Tigers coach Tim Sheens.
"The Aussies have done a decent job against him in the past and Tim knows him inside out as well," Farah said.
"I'm sure Tim will have a game plan ready for us to try and limit his opportunities."
He said he was happy to play whatever role was required of him by Sheens.
"Tim has coached me for ten years and knows my game inside out, so I feel very comfortable coming in here," Farah said.
He said he hoped Sheens stayed with the Tigers in some capacity.
The Test call-up caps off a strong representative campaign for Farah, who established himself as the Blues' first-choice hooker in this year's Origin series.
"In Origin this year I felt a bit more comfortable and had a team that believed in me and a coaching staff that really believed in me and urged me to display my talents," Farah said.
"I think the last time I was in Origin in 2009 I probably didn't really showcase the way I played.
"But this year I went in there and really tried to stamp my authority on the game and on the team."
http://www.nrl.com/farah-relishes-rare-tussle-with-benji/tabid/10874/newsid/70185/default.aspx
Wests Tigers hooker Farah has been named on Australia's interchange bench for Saturday week's one-off Test against the Kiwis in Townsville.
He was impressed by the pack they will throw at the Kangaroos.
"You can judge the quality of the team by the players they've left out, (Jared) Waerea-Hargreaves not making it, Adam Blair not making the squad," Farah said.
"When you leave players of this calibre out it just goes to show how good a pack it is."
New Zealand will be captained by Marshall, his longstanding teammate at the Tigers.
"I've only played against him the once before, it will be always interesting and always tough," Farah said.
"He's the sort of player where you are not too sure what he's going to throw up at you, you've just got to expect anything."
Farah is not unfamiliar with being on the opposite end of his clubmate's wizardry.
"I get that (his array of skills) at training every week when we try to defend against him," Farah said.
"He's the sort of player where if you give him time and space he can really cut you apart."
Farah pointed out Marshall's game was well known to Kangaroos and former long-serving Tigers coach Tim Sheens.
"The Aussies have done a decent job against him in the past and Tim knows him inside out as well," Farah said.
"I'm sure Tim will have a game plan ready for us to try and limit his opportunities."
He said he was happy to play whatever role was required of him by Sheens.
"Tim has coached me for ten years and knows my game inside out, so I feel very comfortable coming in here," Farah said.
He said he hoped Sheens stayed with the Tigers in some capacity.
The Test call-up caps off a strong representative campaign for Farah, who established himself as the Blues' first-choice hooker in this year's Origin series.
"In Origin this year I felt a bit more comfortable and had a team that believed in me and a coaching staff that really believed in me and urged me to display my talents," Farah said.
"I think the last time I was in Origin in 2009 I probably didn't really showcase the way I played.
"But this year I went in there and really tried to stamp my authority on the game and on the team."
http://www.nrl.com/farah-relishes-rare-tussle-with-benji/tabid/10874/newsid/70185/default.aspx
