SAM Burgess knows the banner headlines Robbie Farah will attract this week.
It’s fair to say though that the English giant though is becoming tired of constantly discussing Farah.
It’s nothing personal.
Burgess just wants other players in his South Sydney side recognised before Friday night’s big game against Farah’s former team the Wests Tigers.
“I feel like every press conference we are always talking about Robbie. It is a big week but Robbie’s not the only player in the team — (I’m trying to) get the gist of that to everyone,” Burgess said.
“Robbie is a key part of the team, as is (fellow hooker) Damien Cook. As is Greg Inglis. As is Adam Reynolds.
Farah’s arrival has dominated much of the pre-season discussion.Source:News Corp Australia
“You know, there is are a lot of ingredients in the cake.
“Whoever we were playing it would be a big week for him. Coincidently, we are playing the Tigers. Gee, I wonder who did the draw?
“I’m just saying, just chill. Give it a few months and see how it goes. No-one can predict the future.
“Robbie has been great at this club and I’m sure he will continue to be great over the season.”
Farah, who is vying with Damien Cook for the hooking role, facing the Tigers in round one is a dream match for the NRL given his fallout with former coach Jason Taylor.
But Burgess was quick to point out Farah isn’t the same person as he is sometimes portrayed.
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“If you have never met Robbie, and never heard a thing about him, and you saw the way he goes about himself down in our changing rooms with our team, you’d find it hard to believe what’s been said and written about him,” Burgess said
“I think all that (Tigers drama) is behind Robbie. There is always politics at clubs — he had been there for so many years. You know how the game works sometimes.
“I judge people on how they are in our system, our structure, our culture and Robbie has been fantastic. Obviously with what went on last year, it was quite an emotionally draining year for him. But, like I said, that is behind him now and he is ready to roll again.
“Robbie is one of the most professional blokes I have come across. He will deal with it just fine. He is very competitive and I think all his old teammates will know that.”
Cook and Farah have both staked their claims for the hooking role.Source:News Corp Australia
Souths forward Jason Clark sits next to Farah in the Bunnies locker room.
Told the media wanted to speak about Farah again, Clark said; “Yeah, of course, everyone has. Be weird if you weren’t. Robbie is a professional. Whatever Madge (coach Michael Maguire) goes with … it’s a good position for Madge to be in, having to pick from Robbie and Damien. He is the coach. And the way coaches think is very twisted sometimes but they have their reasons.”
South Sydney utility John Sutton said Farah would not get caught up in the emotion of confronting his former side.
“He is experienced, he’s been around for a long time and has played in a lot of big games. Everyone has to go out and do their job and I’m sure Robbie will do the same,” Sutton said.
“Robbie is a pretty ‘cruisy’ lad. He does what he has to do and gets on with his job.”
Originally published as Burgess sick of Farah talk
