Feb 27th, 2017

Feb 27th, 2017

Wests Tigers expect to face a fired up Robbie Farah, with the South Sydney hooker tipped to dish out as many taunts as he receives when he takes on his old NRL club.

Farah joined the Rabbitohs after 14 seasons and 247 games for the Tigers but has had little time to ease into post-Leichhardt life given the sides clash in round one at ANZ Stadium on Friday.

"He's a really competitive guy, no matter what game it is," Tigers' veteran Chris Lawrence said of Farah.

Robbie Farah with Wests Tigers' fans in 2016. (AAP)

"He's definitely going to be fired up and wanting to put in a good performance."

Star Rabbitohs forward Sam Burgess said Farah passed on insights about his former club, but didn't expect it to be a major factor on Friday.

"Obviously he's got knowledge of the club, but it doesn't really make a difference," Burgess said.

"You can have as much knowledge as you want, but you've got to still go out there and defend the players.

"It's early on in the week. I'm sure as the week progresses a few little tips here and there, but we've still got to go out there and do our job."

Rabbitohs stalwart John Sutton expects Farah to get some lip from his old teammates.

"Probably, and he'll probably give some back as well so it should be good," Sutton said.

The Rabbitohs don't expect Farah to get rattled by any sledging.

"Robbie is a professional. He's pretty composed," Burgess said.

Rabbitohs forward Jason Clark said he didn't expect Farah to put too much pressure on himself and hadn't noticed any change in his demeanour as the Tigers game approached.

"I sit next to him and I don't think he's changed too much," Clark said.

Souths start their season without influential halfback Adam Reynolds, who will be sidelined for up to four weeks with appendicitis.

"Adam was a big part of our team. He's got a great kicking game and gets us down the park, so whoever steps in has to do a pretty good job,' Sutton said.

Former Parramatta halfback Luke Kelly looms as the most likely replacement for Reynolds.

"He's played there all his life and he's really been good this pre-season, so if that's the way Madge (Souths coach Michael Maguire) goes, I know he'll do a good job," Sutton said.

Reynolds teammates were able to see the funny side of their stricken colleague's situation.

"He's looking a bit skinny, the poor bugger," quipped forward Dave Tyrell.

©AAP2017