Injured Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah says he was facing the prospect of missing the entire State of Origin series after dislocating his elbow against the Cowboys on Saturday night.
Instead, the incumbent NSW No.9 has avoided surgery and is looking at 4-6 weeks on the sideline. The best-case scenario would have him back by Round 11 – which is the weekend before the Origin series begins, meaning Farah would enter game one without a comeback match under his belt.
"It's not about that. I don't see it as rivals. I'm not there fighting for a position anymore. If I'm not there and someone else gets picked, I'll be doing everything I can to help them help NSW win that first game," Farah said on Tuesday.
"It's not about that, it's not about me. It's not a personal thing against my rivals. I just want what's best for NSW to help us win the series.
"It's going to be hard to be on the sideline watching, I'd love to be out there helping the boys. That's my priority but after that I'll worry about Origin."
Farah said the 4-6 week layoff was a relief after the initial prognosis read that he would be out until July, which meant writing off the entire Origin period.
"Originally they thought there was a fracture there and they weren't too sure how bad the damage was and initial diagnosis was that it was going to be a long-term injury," he said.
"But I got some good news with the scans – I won't need surgery. And the elbow popped straight back in the joint. It was a best-case scenario thing, which was pleasing. And 4-6 weeks was the best outcome I could've got because it was looking like it was being 3-4 months."
Back-up hooker Joel Luani will be named by coach Mick Potter on Tuesday afternoon and Farah said he had complete confidence in the club's depth to continue their good form against an Eels side buoyed by their upset victory over defending premiers the Roosters.
"It's one of our strengths this year. You look at our NSW Cup side and the quality of player we've got playing there, guys like Benny Murdoch-(Masila) who hasn't had a run in the top squad this year, Joel Luani, Braith (Anasta) got suspended last week and we were lucky enough to bring up Blake Austin," he said.
"Joel's trained real hard in the off-season and he gets his chance now – I know he's going to do a great job and I'll be helping him to help the team."
Farah also weighed into the contentious time clock debate that allowed Melbourne one more play to steal victory over the Dragons on Monday night.
The Tigers rake had previously expressed his concern over a similar incident in their win over the Sea Eagles two weeks ago, when Jamie Lyon scored after the half-time siren.
"No one listened to me, did they? Everyone thought I was having a sook. It's disappointing when you see the outcomes of games being decided by the officials," he said.
Instead, the incumbent NSW No.9 has avoided surgery and is looking at 4-6 weeks on the sideline. The best-case scenario would have him back by Round 11 – which is the weekend before the Origin series begins, meaning Farah would enter game one without a comeback match under his belt.
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"It's not about that. I don't see it as rivals. I'm not there fighting for a position anymore. If I'm not there and someone else gets picked, I'll be doing everything I can to help them help NSW win that first game," Farah said on Tuesday.
"It's not about that, it's not about me. It's not a personal thing against my rivals. I just want what's best for NSW to help us win the series.
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"My main concern is getting back for the Tigers because we're on a good thing at the moment. We're building some momentum and some belief."It's going to be hard to be on the sideline watching, I'd love to be out there helping the boys. That's my priority but after that I'll worry about Origin."
Farah said the 4-6 week layoff was a relief after the initial prognosis read that he would be out until July, which meant writing off the entire Origin period.
"Originally they thought there was a fracture there and they weren't too sure how bad the damage was and initial diagnosis was that it was going to be a long-term injury," he said.
"But I got some good news with the scans – I won't need surgery. And the elbow popped straight back in the joint. It was a best-case scenario thing, which was pleasing. And 4-6 weeks was the best outcome I could've got because it was looking like it was being 3-4 months."
Back-up hooker Joel Luani will be named by coach Mick Potter on Tuesday afternoon and Farah said he had complete confidence in the club's depth to continue their good form against an Eels side buoyed by their upset victory over defending premiers the Roosters.
"It's one of our strengths this year. You look at our NSW Cup side and the quality of player we've got playing there, guys like Benny Murdoch-(Masila) who hasn't had a run in the top squad this year, Joel Luani, Braith (Anasta) got suspended last week and we were lucky enough to bring up Blake Austin," he said.
"Joel's trained real hard in the off-season and he gets his chance now – I know he's going to do a great job and I'll be helping him to help the team."
Farah also weighed into the contentious time clock debate that allowed Melbourne one more play to steal victory over the Dragons on Monday night.
The Tigers rake had previously expressed his concern over a similar incident in their win over the Sea Eagles two weeks ago, when Jamie Lyon scored after the half-time siren.
"No one listened to me, did they? Everyone thought I was having a sook. It's disappointing when you see the outcomes of games being decided by the officials," he said.
