But in much of the myriad comments and articles regarding this engaging soap opera, a key distinction seems to have been overlooked.

Those siding with Taylor will – quite reasonably – argue he has to do what he can to win games … and then mention almost in passing that Farah takes up a lot of salary cap space and the club is clearly trying to force him to walk.

Erm, as they say in the classics … hellooo?

These are two very different motivations. On one hand, if Taylor believes omitting Farah is going to aid Wests Tigers' chances of winning games then, no matter how unpopular his decision, he is duty-bound to leave him out.

But trying to make a player leave by omitting him, or – as Farah alleged on Saturday – provoking him into a disciplinary breach is disingenuous and abusive.

Only the most cynical observer would support an action based on this motivation. Of course, there may be an element of truth in both interpretations.

Wests Tigers success on Sunday against St George Illawarra supports Taylor's contention that a side without Farah can accrue victories.

But Farah's own pedigree suggests there should be at least a place for him on the bench.

The bottom line is that if Taylor is being honest about his motivations, and they are backed up by results, then history will judge his tough call well.

But if the fullness of time uncovers other agendas, and if the club does try to dispose of Farah without his full financial entitlements, then the game's annals will not be so kind to him.

And neither will most Wests Tigers fans.

Cup curtain-raisers a great idea

An admirable plan has been hatched to play an unofficial Emerging Nations World Cup during the tournament proper next year.

David Axisa, a leading official of the Maltese Rugby League, has approached RLWC 2017 organisers about curtain-raisers involving teams who either missed qualification or are not yet allowed to compete in the World Cup.

Many countries do not yet meet the criteria for involvement in the qualifiers – like the minimum amount of domestic activity, full-time employees etc – but would like to show their wares on the big stage.

Axisa has assured organisers the Malta Knights do not want financial help of any kind and the curtain-raisers would effectively be a coalition of the willing – countries able to fund their own campaigns.

He has been promised a meeting later in the year. Discord supports the proposal and wishes him luck.

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