Robbie Farah set to leave Wests Tigers at end of season
Tuesday 25 August 2015 14:11, UK
Australia hooker Robbie Farah will leave the Wests Tigers at the end of the season, which could spark interest from Super League clubs.
The 31-year-old still has two years left on his contract but the Sydney club have pressing salary-cap issues and are set to risk the anger of their fans by releasing their long-serving captain.
Farah, who has played second fiddle in the Kangaroos team to Cameron Smith, is captain of New South Wales at Origin level and has made 236 appearances for the Tigers since making his debut in 2003.
He was a member of their 2005 Premiership-winning team and was made a life member of the club in 2013.
In a statement the Tigers say Farah has been "granted permission to investigate opportunities to continue his playing career at another club".
The statement added: "The decision was not made lightly but ultimately allows the club a chance to restructure the football team to allow for future success.
"The club intends on treating Farah with the utmost respect during this process and will make no further comment until his playing future is decided."
Despite his lofty salary cap number - the Sydney Morning Herald reports it to be upwards of £400,000 - Farah will be of interest to a number of NRL clubs.
But there is also the lure of an overseas move for Farah to consider, with the Leeds Rhinos in need of a hooker for 2016 with Paul Aiton heading to France with the Catalans Dragons.
Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington recently stated his club would be unlikely to make use of the new marquee player allowance but the sudden availability of Farah could change that approach.
