Taylor’s apology to Robbie Farah ends feud
THE AUSTRALIANDECEMBER 17, 2015 12:00AM
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Margie McDonald
An apology from Wests Tigers head coach Jason Taylor to former club captain Robbie Farah in front of the entire team was the act that ended a four-month feud between the pair.
Farah was yesterday named in a seven-player Tigers leadership group for next season. His management also intends for him to see out remaining two years of his contract, worth almost $2 million.
The club also issued a 17-paragraph statement, apologising to Tigers supporters for the saga that started in August when Taylor announced the club wanted Farah to move on or else be stuck playing reserve grade.
At 238 games Farah is the club’s longest-serving player and part of their maiden premiership team in 2005.
“We acknowledged that (damage to Tigers brand) today with a public apology,” Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe said. “We truly and sincerely understand their frustrations and also the frustrations of corporate supporters.
“That was never our intention. Now we intend to win back our members, our fans, our business partners and establish a trust and a love for the club again.”
Pascoe would not comment on whether Taylor had apologised for his threat to drop the NSW hooker to reserves. But The Australian understands this took place last week in front of the club’s playing group.
With the exit of senior players Pat Richards and Keith Galloway to the English Super League, Farah was the only 30-something left at the club.
Taylor has since signed Manly hooker Matt Ballin, who at 31, is the same age as Farah as well as playing in the same position.
Last night, Farah confirmed Taylor had apologised.
“Yes he has,” Farah told The Australian. But that’s something that will remain between myself and the coach. In what form that apology came I won’t be commenting.”
Asked if he felt he could work with Taylor, Farah said: “I’ve always worked with the coach. This was something I did not bring. It was brought upon me.
“I’ve maintained my commitments to the club and that’s to train hard and play hard. I’ve always done that and will continue to do that.”
Pascoe said he felt both Taylor and Farah were “professional enough” to get on with their jobs.
“Jason has a contract as coach and Robbie has a contract as a player. You’d expect them to be professional enough to fulfil those contracts.”
If results don’t come the Tigers’ way in the first half of the 2016 season, Pascoe said Taylor’s contract, which runs until the end of 2017, was not in jeopardy.
The club finished equal last with Newcastle this year with only eight wins each from 24 matches.
“Jason Taylor is 100 per cent the coach for the 2016 season. No one coach can be judged on wins and losses alone and we’re not going to be judging him on that,” he said.
The leadership group will consist of Farah, Ballin, Dene Halatau, Chris Lawrence, Sauaso Sue, James Tedesco and Aaron Woods. Farah was the club’s captain before stepping down during the saga.
It’s not known who Taylor will select as skipper next season.
It has been suggested Farah, 31, would play one more year before moving to England.
However, Farah’s manager Sam Ayoub last night said Farah was determined to see out the two years left on his deal.
“This is about his existing contract and that runs for two years,” Ayoub said last night.
“As far as we’re concerned, the club is honouring that commitment to him and he’ll do the same to them.
“There is no mention or deal involving Super League. Nothing like that has been done,” Ayoub added. “It’s just a situation where everyone wants to move forward and put a poorly handled ordeal behind us.”
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/taylors-apology-to-robbie-farah-ends-feud/news-story/eee1e2fa96c3b9b00f59a66e32c512d2
