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Robbie Farah ready for mental battles
By Wayne Cousins
Friday 13 July 2012 4:26 PM
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The let down of Origin, losing the series, and lifting his team into the finals are the mental challenges facing NSW and Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah.
Farah was arguably one of NSW’s best players throughout the Origin series. It was the first time he had played a full series after playing just two games in 2009 before losing his Blues jersey. The popular Blues rake said the build up to the Origin decider in Brisbane was as ‘big as a grand final, if not bigger’.
“You come down off that high, and obviously the disappointment of losing, it kind of feels like the season's over for a bit. It feels like it's the last game of the year,’’ Farah said.
“So much effort goes into an Origin series, so the challenge is there to pick myself back up again and make sure that I come back to club footy and play like an Origin player, and help lift the boys."
Farah said the one point loss to Queensland in the Origin decider was one of the toughest losses he hasn’t ever had to face.
"It's right up there. It's tough, especially to come so close and lose the way we did. We were very confident, but in saying that, I thought it was a great series,’’ he said.
“It was a great time with the boys, and with Stick (coach Ricky Stuart). Unfortunately we didn't get the result that we wanted, but I think we're moving in the right direction."
Farah added he had taken plenty of solace from his outstanding performances, including an Origin record 63 tackles in game two. A few days later, Farah’s mum, Sonia, passed away from pancreatic cancer.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I would have preferred to have played poorly and won,’’ he offered.
“On an individual level, going into Origin, I had a few critics out there. Supposedly I wasn't an Origin player and things like that. And after three years ago, losing my jumper and having to wait for the opportunity, I knew I was ready.
“I was going to do everything possible to make sure I didn't give that jersey back to anyone else. That's the way I went out and played, and Sticky had that confidence and the belief in me, allowed me to play the way I wanted to. I was happy with the way I played, but a win would have been nice."
Farah is looking forward to leading his team out against Penrith after returning to training on Wednesday.
“I had a few days off and had the chance to get away and freshen up a bit. We've got a tough run home ahead of us, and we're in a position now where we need to win some footy games and get back in the eight,’’ Farah said.
"That's the challenge that faces us at the moment."
By Wayne Cousins
Friday 13 July 2012 4:26 PM
\
\
The let down of Origin, losing the series, and lifting his team into the finals are the mental challenges facing NSW and Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah.
Farah was arguably one of NSW’s best players throughout the Origin series. It was the first time he had played a full series after playing just two games in 2009 before losing his Blues jersey. The popular Blues rake said the build up to the Origin decider in Brisbane was as ‘big as a grand final, if not bigger’.
“You come down off that high, and obviously the disappointment of losing, it kind of feels like the season's over for a bit. It feels like it's the last game of the year,’’ Farah said.
“So much effort goes into an Origin series, so the challenge is there to pick myself back up again and make sure that I come back to club footy and play like an Origin player, and help lift the boys."
Farah said the one point loss to Queensland in the Origin decider was one of the toughest losses he hasn’t ever had to face.
"It's right up there. It's tough, especially to come so close and lose the way we did. We were very confident, but in saying that, I thought it was a great series,’’ he said.
“It was a great time with the boys, and with Stick (coach Ricky Stuart). Unfortunately we didn't get the result that we wanted, but I think we're moving in the right direction."
Farah added he had taken plenty of solace from his outstanding performances, including an Origin record 63 tackles in game two. A few days later, Farah’s mum, Sonia, passed away from pancreatic cancer.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't, but I would have preferred to have played poorly and won,’’ he offered.
“On an individual level, going into Origin, I had a few critics out there. Supposedly I wasn't an Origin player and things like that. And after three years ago, losing my jumper and having to wait for the opportunity, I knew I was ready.
“I was going to do everything possible to make sure I didn't give that jersey back to anyone else. That's the way I went out and played, and Sticky had that confidence and the belief in me, allowed me to play the way I wanted to. I was happy with the way I played, but a win would have been nice."
Farah is looking forward to leading his team out against Penrith after returning to training on Wednesday.
“I had a few days off and had the chance to get away and freshen up a bit. We've got a tough run home ahead of us, and we're in a position now where we need to win some footy games and get back in the eight,’’ Farah said.
"That's the challenge that faces us at the moment."
