Robbie Farah’s final-round fate has already been sealed but Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire won’t reveal if the retiring hooker will overcome a fractured leg to play Cronulla.
Farah enjoyed a day off along with his teammates on Friday, as Maguire fronted the press and refused to say whether he would play in Sunday’s do-or-die clash at a sold-out Leichhardt.
Having fractured his tibia less than a month ago, Farah trained in front of cameras on Wednesday as the circus surrounding his availability continued.
But Maguire said both he and the hooker already knew whether he would figure on Sunday.
“I know (whether he will play),” Maguire said.
“Robbie will be in the (19-man) squad and I will be making some more comments about that closer to the game.
“(I’ll confirm) probably about an hour before the game (if he will play).”
Maguire wouldn’t say when he had made the decision, and denied he was playing mind games with Cronulla by holding out on announcing the call.
But in Friday’s press call, he gave every indication it would be unlikely Farah would make a miracle comeback.
The Tigers have scored above 40 in two straight games for the first time since 2005, and can also keep the same 17 for the third straight match this weekend.
“He and I know it’s all about the team,” Maguire said.
“It’s a do-or-die, must-win game. I’ve got to pick the squad I believe is going to go out there and get the job done.
“I know what it takes at this time of year and you need 17 fit men on the park and the decisions I make around that are going to head towards that.
“You can look at sentiment and he is a big part of the organisation. But as we’ve all sat down it’s all about team.”
Maguire will to some extent enjoyed that the focus has been on Farah and not rest of the team this week.
The Tigers have the longest finals drought in the NRL, having not appeared in the playoffs since 2011.
They have also blown five last-round chances to make the finals in their 19-year history, having qualified just three times as a merged club.
The likes of Luke Brooks are also playing the biggest game of their careers, with his 130 matches without a finals appearance the most of any player in the NRL.
“It’s an opportunity to change that (the club’s past horrors),” Maguire said.
“I’ve been in positions at other clubs where they haven’t been in this position (for a while).
“It’s just noise and dealing with the situation and trusting what they’re doing.”