Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall (born February 25 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He has represented New Zealand in internationals. Although he normally plays as a five-eighth he has also played Fullback, Centre and Halfback

NRL career

Marshall made his debut on the 27th of July 2003 at age 18 against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as fullback. The Tigers won the game 50–16. Marshall continued to make appearances for Wests Tigers for the remainder of 2003, when his studies allowed, playing half back. In 2004, Marshall starred in the pre-season World Sevens competition helping the Tigers to win the tournament. He began the NRL season playing centre until he dislocated his shoulder against the North Queensland Cowboys. During his time off the Tigers struggled in attack. When he returned after four weeks off he was moved to the play making position of five-eighth. From there, Marshall set the club on a record 3 match winning streak. He dislocated the same shoulder four weeks into his return and his 2004 season was ended as he had surgery. In 2005, Marshall injured his other shoulder in the opening minutes of the first trial (practice) match. After missing the opening round match (which the Tigers lost), Marshall played five-eighth for the club's second match of the year against defending premiers, The Bulldogs. With an injury free run, Marshall demonstrated a passing, running, and kicking game to compliment his stepping. He was able to score individual tries and set-up tries for his team-mates. The Wests Tigers went on to win the 2005 premiership against the North Queensland Cowboys. Marshall then underwent surgery on his weak shoulder. In 2006, Marshall made his comeback from surgery against St George Illawarra but broke his cheek bone. He played the rest of the match and set up the winning try. Making his comeback against Melbourne Storm, Marshall set up many tries with a mixture of stepping and perceptiveness. In the 79th minute he was injured by Cowboy's prop Carl Webb. He popped his shoulder out but recovered in 3 weeks, playing for New Zealand in the Anzac test. With another injury-free run he began producing dominating performances of the Tigers but 8 weeks into his come-back he dislocated the same shoulder that was dislocated against North Queensland and he missed the rest of the season. In 2007, Marshall made his comeback from injury against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1. Marshall has had to adapt to changes within the team such as the departure of Halfback, Scott Prince, and the added responsibility of goal kicking while Fullback, Brett Hodgson was recovering from a knee injury. In round 8, Marshall sustained a fractured shoulder in a tackle where his arm was jammed between Melbourne Player Israel Falou and Tigers Player Taniela Tuiaki.

International Career

Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career ^[1]. In 2003 he was approached by the NZRL while he was playing with the Australian Schoolboys. Marshall made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test. He was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his shoulder in June ruled him out.

References

• Daily Telegraph article on Benji re-signing with Tigers
• Sydney Morning Herald Article, October 2005
• Benji’s debut – Sydney Morning Herald July 2003
• NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt

External links

• Benji Marshall Official Profile
• Benji Marshall NRL Profile
• Official Benji Marshall Playing Statistics
• SMH Article Benji's care tactics