WHEN the Blues run out to try to equalise this year’s Origin series, one Bathurst family will be cheering that little bit harder.
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Local electrician Richie Farrar’s brother Andrew manages the Blues team, and Richie believes NSW will come away with the goods on Wednesday night.
The family originally hails from Cowra, with Richie moving to Bathurst as a teenager to start as an apprentice.
His elder brother, John, was playing for St Pat’s at the time, and Richie ended up staying in Bathurst, enjoying a successful football career himself in Group 10, as well as overseas.
John eventually moved to Newcastle, and their other brother, Andrew, rose to great heights in the sport; he played in the NRL, State of Origin, for Australia, and played in four grand finals (winning three) before moving on to coaching, and now to managing the State of Origin team.
Richie said the family, including sister Alison, was incredibly proud of Andrew.
“We’re all big fans of Origin, we love it,” he said. “It’s just the hype of the game. It’s so passionate between the two states, it’s great.”
Richie said that every year he and five mates go to one of the games, taking it turn to go to Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.
This year the group went to the first match and, like the rest of us, will be watching Wednesday night’s game at home, hoping for a win not only for the Blues, but also for Andrew.
Richie said even though Andrew has made his mark as one of the game’s big names, he remains very down-to-earth.
“It’s never gone to his head, he’s still just like a country boy,” he said.
Richie is just hoping the Blues can pull off a win to keep their series hopes alive.
“I think they just need to tweak a few things; if NSW get a fair go in the ruck I think they’ll win,” he said.