After missing Kangaroos selection, Farah was desperate to represent his nation of descent - Lebanon - in World Cup qualifiers against Russia and Ireland this month.

But, disturbed by the team's dramatic late-season exit from top-eight contention, the Wests Tigers have restricted Farah from playing for his native country.

In an edict that also prevents coach Tim Sheens from assisting Russia, representative leave passes were only granted to players selected for Australia or New Zealand as the Tigers seek to rebuild over the off-season.

The decision left Farah disappointed - and Lebanese management seething - because both parties believed clearance was granted for him to play for the Cedars.

Lebanese Rugby League general manager George Elias accused Wests of double standards, with Farah's absence making the league minnow's task of qualifying infinitely tougher.

"I think what they've done - allowing other players to represent New Zealand and banning Robbie from playing for us - is very unfair," Elias said.

"How can they expect us to make the World Cup, and grow the game overseas, if we don't have our best players."

Cedars coach Darren Maroon was only told last week that Farah - the 2007 Dally M medal runner-up - was off-limits.

"Tim Sheens rang me and said the board had decided not to release Robbie or any other players not involved with Australia or New Zealand," Maroon said. "It's double standards as far as I'm concerned."

Farah was reluctant to comment. "I don't know why they changed their mind," he said.

Lebanese Heritage

Farah's father, Peter, left Lebanon 45 years ago and worked 12-hour shifts as a Sydney taxi driver, getting out of bed at 2am.

"He'd come home, have dinner with my three brothers, my sister and my mother and go to bed," Farah said. Asked if his father eventually owned his cab, he shook his head sadly and said no.

But the boys all studied at university, Jason becoming a solicitor, David an engineer and Eddie a physiotherapist; Robbie is a year short of an economics degree from Sydney University.

"They all go to home games, including my parents and my sister and her family," he said.

His forehead has miniature cuts but he admits his woolly hair disguises others, saying: "I've got a couple on the top of the head." His brown eyes sparkle at praise but you can imagine them flashing around the ruck, seeking the smallest sliver of daylight.

But he is quick to pull the shutters down when, for example, he could expand on a visit to his father's birthplace in the north of Lebanon when he toured with an Australian Lebanese team in 2002, beating France in Tripoli and scoring two tries. "I walked into this little village of only 20 houses and they spotted me and said, 'You're Peter's son'."

Source: The Daily Telegraph