NSW STATE of Origin hooker Robbie Farah held a secret meeting with Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson last week as the Tricolours manoeuvre to try and orchestrate one of rugby league’s great swindles.

Two months after Wests Tigers coach Jason Taylor attempted to kick Farah out of the club, the Roosters have emerged as a hot favourite for the creative No.9 considered among the best hookers in the NRL.

St George Illawarra, Newcastle and Penrith were also competing for Farah’s services but provided the Blues hooker can negotiate a release from Wests then the Roosters deal is in position to be rubber-stamped.

In a bizarre development, the Tigers have had a late change-of-heart with new chief executive Justin Pascoe informing Farah the club now wants to retain his services despite Taylor attempting to torpedo him out.

The surprise move occurred after Farah’s agent Sam Ayoub formally requested a release from the club on Friday.

The Sydney Roosters were in damage control after news of the possible switch broke, with coach Trent Robinson yet to speak to incumbent hooker Jake Friend.

Friend is so highly viewed in the game, he is considered the most likely Queensland Origin and Australian successor to champion rake Cameron Smith when the Melbourne Storm No.9 retires.

In a further complication, Friend is also co-captain of the club with Mitchell Pearce.

“Jake is extremely highly regarded in our club. He’s our co-captain, he’s our hooker, he’s considered the next in line for the Queensland Origin job,” Roosters chief operating officer Brian Canavan said.

“He’s an 80-minute player, very popular and much admired.”

media_camera Robbie Farah and Tigers coach Jason Taylor during the Wests Tigers first pre season training session in Leichhardt. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The Sunday Telegraph understands the Roosters playing roster was unaware of the Farah development with coach Robinson and powerful chairman Nick Politis forced into smoothing the waters on Friday.

Whether the deal can be delivered now will depend on Politis, Robinson and the Tigers being able to negotiate a fair and reasonable release.

The Tigers will need to pay a significant amount of Farah’s $900,000 contract for next season, with coach Taylor publicly declaring the hooker would be paid in full provided he could find a new club.

Ironically, Taylor spent four years at the Sydney Roosters as the under 20s coach and assistant NRL coach after being sacked by South Sydney at the end of 2009.

media_camera Mitchell Moses is one of several young players reportedly considering their future at the club. Picture Gregg Porteous

The Tigers released this statement on Friday: “Wests Tigers can confirm that Robbie Farah’s management have requested a formal release from the final two years of his contract with the club.

“Wests Tigers will work with his management to ensure the terms are agreeable for both parties before any release is granted.

“Until that time, Robbie will fulfil his contractual agreements with the club and continue to be a part of Wests Tigers pre-season training.

“Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that the club would continue to work with Farah and his management to reach a resolution that met the needs of both parties.

“Wests Tigers intend to work with Robbie and his manager in order that we can come to terms that are satisfactory for both the club and his management,” Pascoe said.

“Any decision taken in regards to this release will consider the Club’s responsibility and commitment to ensuring this club transfers itself into a strong position for a sustainable future.

“As such, Robbie will remain a part of his this club until such an agreement is reached.”