Latest news with #RobbieFarah
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
'Such a shame': NRL world saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah
NRL fans are expressing their sadness and disappointment after Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah were noticeable absentees at a 20-year reunion for the club's 2005 premiership triumph. The 2005 squad gathered in the chairman's lounge at Leichhardt Oval to mark 20 years since their 30-16 win over North Queensland in the grand final that year. Current Tigers coach Benji Marshall was in attendance, as was Cowboys coach Todd Payten (who played for the Tigers in 2005). The only players missing from the function were Farah (who was overseas) and Scott Prince (due to family commitments). A number of the team's coaching staff also attended, but 2005 coach Sheens stayed away. The 74-year-old had a bitter falling out with the club in 2023 when he was sacked and replaced by Marshall. Sheens was brought back to mentor Marshall at the start of 2023, and was supposed to hand over the reigns after two years as head coach. But the club bit the bullet early and sacked Sheens out of the blue so Marshall could take over 12 months early. Sheens boycotted the club's end of season awards night at the end of that year, and has seemingly severed all ties. As for Farah, it remains to be seen whether he would have attended if he was in the country. The former hooker served as an assistant under Sheens in 2023 and Marshall in 2024, but was let go at the end of last season (their third wooden spoon in a row). Club officials have previously stressed that Farah and Marshall's relationship remains strong despite the decision to let him go. NRL columnist 'The Mole' wrote on social media: "Such a shame Tim Sheens boycotted the 20-year reunion of the Wests Tigers miracle of 2005. But he is a man of principal and the Tigers knifed him something shocking." Others described it as "awful" and "very sad" that Sheens' relationship with the Tigers still hasn't been repaired. He led the club in 278 of his 778 games as a first-grade head coach, but was left filthy with the way he departed. The Tigers initially stated it was a mutual decision, but Sheens' good friend Royce Simmons later revealed he was sacked against his wishes. 'Why would you go (to the awards night)?' Simmons said in 2023. 'If you weren't wanted at the club, how could you go to their presentation night? 'They sacked him. And I can only imagine how frustrated Tim is. It's sad to see. He wasn't given the opportunity to do what he wanted to do. You bring a coach back who has won a premiership, and is in the top bracket of coaches of all time, you look to his expertise, then you don't use it. It doesn't make any sense to me.' RELATED: Andrew Johns responds amid Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler rumour Brisbane Broncos coach spotted in eye-opening move in dressing rooms Tigers legend Benny Elias previously said: "The way they treated him, it was disgusting. They signed him saying: 'Help us, help us', so he puts his heart and soul into the club and then they sack him again. 'It was the board's decision to punt him...I was genuinely embarrassed at the way it happened and how he was treated. This bloke is a legend. This is the coach who has won four grand finals at two clubs, coached NSW and Australia. When it comes to the elite in terms of coaching, he is up there in the top three coaches."
Daily Mail
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Damning new footage catches NSW State of Origin trainer red-handed in unsportsmanlike act
Fans were left wondering why referee Ashley Klein angrily threatened to kick NSW trainer Eddie Farah off the field in Origin game one on Wednesday night - and now new footage has provided the answer. Farah - whose brother is Wests Tigers and Blues great Robbie - was on the field about four minutes into the second half when NSW star Zac Lomax knocked on, giving Queensland a scrum 10 metres out from the line. The Maroons were desperate to get the ball back quickly as they trailed 14-2 with the Blues a man down - but Mitchell Moses threw it into the in-goal area. That was bad enough for Queensland fans, but then the new footage - which wasn't aired on Channel Nine - showed Farah rubbing salt into the wound by kicking the ball over the sideline, giving his team more time to recover and compose themselves. Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans blew up at referee Ashley Klein, who was then heard on the broadcast barking at Farah, 'Trainer, if you do that again, you will not come back on the field.' Queensland legend turned Nine commentator Cameron Smith described the underhanded act as 'a bit of gamesmanship' but Cane Toads fans were furious and could be heard booing loudly after the incident. Footy fans online were mystified and posted on X to ask if anyone could clear up why Klein made the threat. Farah's actions come soon after two NRL trainers were busted putting water on the ball to disadvantage the opposition in the same match. First Penrith trainer Shane Elford was caught in the act on a fan's video during the round 10 clash with North Queensland, which ended in a 30-all draw. Cowboys coach Todd Payten was furious, accusing Elford of wetting the ball 'before every kickoff' the Panthers took in order to make the Steeden harder to handle for the opposition. However, Cowboys trainer Mitchell Dunn was also caught out doing exactly the same thing during the match. Referee Todd Smith caught Dunn in the act and thold him, Hang on, hang on, no, no, no, no, nup, nup, give me the ball. You're not doing that. No way, get another footy.' The NRL responded by sending both clubs breach notices proposing fines of $10,000 and two-match suspensions for Dunn and Elford. Farah's act can't be blamed for costing Queensland victory on what was a dire night for them at Suncorp Stadium. The stern words from Klein (pictured right with Cherry-Evans) followed two trainers being busted using a very underhanded tactic in the same NRL game earlier this month They were so poor that footy icon and Channel Nine star Andrew Johns called for them to axe one of their best and longest-serving stars. Daly Cherry-Evans, the oldest Origin player in history, was below his best in his 26th match for the Maroons and NSW's greatest half said it was time for Tom Dearden, who played off the bench on Wednesday night, to replace him. Johns also expressed the view that the Maroons, who were dominated up front and out wide, were not capable of fixing their issues. 'Look, no one beats Father Time and DCE is what, (36)? I think they have to pull the trigger and bring Dearden in,' Johns said on Channel Nine. ' I don't know where the improvement comes with this group. 'NSW, if they were on tonight, they they win by 40 or 50. They left so many tries out there and they'll be better for that. 'I don't know if they can go up another level, Queensland. I think there has to be changes with (Canberra prop) Corey Horsburgh, he's one I think can add something. '(South Sydney forward) Jai Arrow is an Origin player, but the big one is Dearden and whether they pull the trigger on Dearden with DCE.'
