Tallis stands by Farah comments

Former NRL star and commentator Gorden Tallis is standing by his revelation that Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah told him Mick Potter could not coach.

Speaking on Fox Sports' Matty Johns Show on Monday night, Tallis said the reason he lifted the lid on Farah's comments was to defend his integrity after the Tigers skipper labelled him a liar.

The drama began on Friday night when Tallis was asked on Triple M about the Wests Tigers' coaching speculation and who was the catalyst.

Never one to hold back, Tallis boldy declared: "Number nine (Farah’s playing number)."

Farah is understood to have texted Tallis venting his fury over the remark before Tallis went on radio again on Sunday and admitted Farah told him 15 months ago that Potter can't coach.

Farah, who was involved in a 20 minute private meeting with Potter before Sunday's 28-12 loss to St George Illawarra, denied ever saying it in a post match press conference.

Farah's manager, Sam Ayoub, also went on radio to defend his client.

But speaking on the Matty Johns Show, Tallis was determined to defend himself.

"It's 15 months that I have known. I am not a snitch so it was never going to be said," Tallis said of his initial revelation.

"But when he (Ayoub) started questioning me and poking me and telling me where's your facts ... what do you do?

"Do I sit there and (let) everyone brand me a liar and (let) everybody think I am not telling the truth.

"That was the only way to get it out there. I could have said it an hour before (on radio) ... I didn't.

"I could have said it 15 months before ... (but) I didn't say it.

"But when I was cornered and (he was) saying that I was telling lies and it was all untrue and where are you hearing these rumours, well the rumours come straight from the source (Farah).

"So that's why I said it."

Tallis said if Farah didn't have an issue with Potter he should have come out and backed him some time over the past 15 months to end the constant speculation that the coach was out of favour with players.

Tallis' stance comes after he approached Farah on the field at ANZ Stadium for a radio interview and was rebuffed by the NSW hooker.

"Robbie went to the (post match) press conference and tried to discredit me," Tallis told The Daily Telegraph.

"I had to defend my reputation. And no-one has been sticking up for Mick Potter. Every time someone said anything it was the 'playing group'. None of the players took responsibility.

"Everyone has an opinion and I expressed mine."

Despite speculation Potter was set to be sacked following the Tigers-Dragons clash on Sunday, he was later given a stay of execution following a club board meeting with management releasing a statement that he would stay until the end of the season.

Potter, who must steer the Tigers into the semi-finals to trigger a contract extension, has been seeking a three year upgrade.