Farah understands who is boss: Taylor

Robbie Farah understands it is Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks who now run the Wests Tigers, according to coach Jason Taylor.

Farah will play his first NRL game of the season against Parramatta on Easter Monday, after missing the opening three rounds due to a knee injury.

The Tigers have impressed without Farah, in particular Moses, who has emerged as one of the NRL’s leading playmakers early in the season.

The match will be Farah’s first since the NSW No.9 stepped down from the captaincy and sorted out his feud with Taylor.

And it is a different Tigers set-up Farah is stepping into from the last decade.

“The way we have played has developed from the start of last season to this point and has been a continual development, slowly but surely the halves have got more confidence,” Taylor said at the Tigers’ captain’s run at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

“But it is clear we want to get them the ball and to be in charge and Robbie understands that.

“Robbie also understands that when he sees an opportunity to play the best footy that Robbie Farah can play, we want him to do that.

“We have to find that balance. It is about the synergy of the team, getting the pieces to get it together.”

Farah is likely to start on the bench against the Eels.

“We will let you guys know what the team is an hour before the game. Those are the rules,” Taylor said.

The former Parramatta and South Sydney mentor welcomed the timing of Farah’s return.

“Robbie is in a good head space,” he said.

“We have lost Chris Lawrence for a week (through suspension) so Robbie coming in is perfect timing.

“That means Dene Halatau can play some back-row for us.

The Tigers suffered their first defeat of the season to Gold Coast last week after wins over the Warriors and Manly.

Parramatta handed Canterbury their first defeat of the year last week and are 2-1 after a loss to Brisbane and a win over North Queensland. Manu Ma’u returns from suspension for the Eels, pushing Kenny Edwards onto the bench and David Gower to 18th man.

KEY STATS

* This is the third meeting between these sides on Easter Monday, with the Tigers winning on each of the previous two occasions.

* This is the first time Parramatta has been 2-1 to start the season since 2009, when they last played in the grand final.

* The Tigers have a poor recent record at ANZ Stadium, winning just seven of 22 matches there since 2011.

Source: Fox Sports stats

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