Benji Marshall

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Benji Marshall
Benji Marshall (26 April 2009).jpg
Marshall playing for Wests in 2009
Personal information
Full name Benjamin Quentin Marshall[1]
Born (1985-02-25) 25 February 1985 (age 28)[2]
Whakatane, New Zealand
Height 182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight 89 kg (14 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position Five-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003– Wests Tigers 188 75 370 9 1049
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–2012 New Zealand 27[1] 13 33 0 110
2010–2013 NRL All Stars 4 1 8 0 20
As of 24 May 2013
Source: League Central Rugby League Project

Benji Marshall (born Benjamin Quentin Marshall;[3] 25 February 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a professional rugby league footballer with the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League (NRL). A goal-kicking five-eighth, he is the current captain of the New Zealand national team, with whom he won the 2008 World Cup and 2010 Four Nations tournaments. Marshall has spent his whole NRL career to date with the Tigers, winning the 2005 Telstra Premiership with them. He has been noted for his flamboyant attack, including sidesteps,[4] no-look passes[5] and flick-passes.[6] In 2010 won the Golden Boot Award for the World's best player.[7]

Contents

Biography [edit]

Marshall was raised without his biological father, but has spoken of the influence of his foster-father Michael Doherty,[8] and other men within his extended family. He has said he had, "10 or 11 fathers … which is not a bad thing."[9] He was a pupil at Whakatane High School.[10] The eldest of three brothers, he was offered a scholarship to play for a high school in the Gold Coast, Queensland when he was 16. While attending Keebra Park Secondary High School, Marshall played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2003.[11] He also represented Australia in touch football that year.[12] Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career.[13] In 2003 he was approached by the NZRL while he was playing with the Australian Schoolboys.

Professional playing career [edit]

2000s [edit]

Marshall made his NRL debut on 27 July 2003, at age 18 against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as fullback. The Wests Tigers won the game 52–12. 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 Wests 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, 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 complement his stepping. He was able to score individual tries and set-up tries for his team-mates. Marshall also made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test. Marshall was a member of the Wests Tigers that defeated North Queensland Cowboys in the 2005 NRL grand final, where he famously set up a 90-metre try to Pat Richards, which was considered to be one of the best tries of grand final history.[14] The try involved a trademark 'flick pass', at about the 50-metre line to Richards. Marshall was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his weak shoulder in the off-season ruled him out and he also missed the 2006 World Club Challenge.

In 2006, Marshall made his comeback from surgery against St George Illawarra but broke his cheek bone.[15] He played the rest of the match and set up the winning try.

Making his comeback against the Cowboys 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.[15] He popped his shoulder out but recovered in three weeks, playing for New Zealand in the ANZAC test. With another injury-free run he began producing dominating performances for the Tigers but eight weeks into his come-back he dislocated the same shoulder that had been dislocated against North Queensland, and he missed the rest of the season.

In 2007, Marshall again made his comeback from injury against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1. Marshall 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's Israel Folau and the Tiger's Taniela Tuiaki.

In 2008 Marshall's injury troubles continued when he suffered a knee ligament tear in the third minute of the season's opening game.[16] He returned in round 7. Halfway through 2008, coach Tim Sheens' announced his plan to move Marshall to the halfback position during the 2009 season,[17] going as far as encouraging New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney to play Marshall in this role during the 2008 World Cup.[18] The suggestion was declined.[18]

"Benji equals anybody I've seen in terms of flair, and making something happen. He is a remarkable talent, born out of living on the edge. That's the way he is. He was made to be a footballer."

-Wayne Bennett[19]

In October 2008, Marshall was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.[20] Marshall captained New Zealand for the first time on 8 November 2008, in a World Cup match against England.[21] Marshall scored a try and kicked two conversions in the Kiwis' 2008 Rugby League World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos. It was the Kiwis first ever World Cup victory, in a game they were considered, "massive underdogs."[22]

Marshall running the ball in a match against the Newcastle Knights in 2009.

In round one of the 2009 season, Marshall started at halfback alongside John Morris at five-eighth. By the third round of the season, Marshall began to make an impact in his new role, helping the team to a 40–24 win over the Sydney Roosters.[23]

In March 2009, despite speculation that he might play rugby union in Japan, Marshall signed with the Wests Tigers for a further two seasons through to the end of 2011.[24] Following Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless' retirement from international football in 2009, Marshall was named as captain in that year's ANZAC Test.

Marshall returned to his old position of five-eighth from July 2009,[25] though both Marshall and coach Tim Sheens insisted that Marshall had been switching between first and second receiver throughout the entire season.[26] Marshall went on to be named at 5/8 in the Team of the Year as chosen by The Rugby League International Federation.[27]

In early 2009 Marshall signed a further extension with the Tigers, to stay at the club until the end of the 2015 season, saying, "I just can't see myself as anything other than a one-club man."[28]

2010s [edit]

As captain of New Zealand, Marshall was an automatic selection for the NRL All Stars in 2010.[29]

In March 2010, Marshall scored two tries against the Parramatta Eels to become the highest try-scorer for the Wests Tigers, breaking the record of 43 previously held by Daniel Fitzhenry.[30] Later that year, in a match against the Titans, Marshall kicked a 51 metre long field goal, considered to be the longest in NRL history.[31] 2010 was the first season that Marshall had played without missing a game due to injury, and his form was thought to be close to his career-best.[32] He played in 34 games in 2010, the most of any NRL player.[33]

After leading the Kiwis to victory in the 2010 Four Nations tournament, was named as the winner of Rugby League World Golden Boot Award for international footballer of the year. He was the first Wests Tigers player to win this award and the third New Zealander, after Hugh McGahan and Stacey Jones.[34] He was also named by Big League magazine as one of the five players of the year.[33]

As New Zealand captain, Marshall was again an automatic selection in the 2011 All Stars Match.

In March 2011, Marshall was charged with assault after another man sustained a facial injury during an altercation with Marshall at a McDonald's restaurant in Sydney. In August, the judge dismissed the case, saying she had reasonable doubt that the injury was caused by Marshall.[35]

In round 14 of the 2011 season, Marshall scored 2 tries against the New Zealand Warriors. He had then scored a try against every team in the NRL.[36] Before the end of the season he had eclipsed Brett Hodgson as the highest scorer in the short history of the Wests Tigers, having amassed 797 points in 151 games.[37] Marshall was the top point-scorer for the 2011 NRL season. After the post-season test against Australia in Newcastle, Marshall travelled to England with the Kiwis for the 2011 Four Nations tournament.

On 3 November 2011 The annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Marshall was named stand-off half back of the year.[38]

Marshall began the 2012 season by captaining the NRL All Stars team to victory in the inaugural Arthur Beetson trophy.[39] He was one of the few players to appear in every Wests Tigers game for the year and, despite the club's poor showing, led the NRL in try assists and line-break assists in the regular season.[40][41] With the departure of Robert Lui in the off-season, the club tried a number of players at halfback in 2012, before Marshall switched from five-eighth in May, with variable results.

In the second last game of the regular season, Marshall kicked 2 goals to become the first Wests Tigers and 43rd player in the Australian competition to score one thousand points.[42] At the end of the season he was nominated for the Dally M halfback of the year.[43]

In February 2013, Marshall was again an automatic selection for the 2013 All Stars match and he captained the NRL All Stars team. 18 days after the All Stars game, he was stripped from the New Zealand Kiwis Captaincy role.

Career highlights [edit]

Footnotes [edit]

  1. ^ a b MARSHALL, BENJAMIN QUENTIN 2005 - 2010 - KIWI #717 nzleague.co.nz
  2. ^ "BENJI MARSHALL". asics.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2011. 
  3. ^ Benjamin Quentin 2005 - 2010 - Kiwi #717 nzleague.co.nz
  4. ^ Prichard, Greg (1 October 2005). "Benji's care tactics". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 23 April 2011. 
  5. ^ Proszenko, Adrian (12 February 2012). "My best is yet to come, says Benji". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 12 February 2012. 
  6. ^ Beniuk, David (3 August 2010). "Benji not given the boot by Wests Tigers". Wide World Of Sports. Ninemsn. Retrieved 23 April 2011. 
  7. ^ Otto, Tyson (4 December 2010). "Benji Marshall new poster boy after Golden Boot win". Daily Telegraph (News). Retrieved 24 July 2011. 
  8. ^ Read, Brent (26 August 2010). "Benji wants to make a difference". Australian (News). Retrieved 3 December 2010. 
  9. ^ "Man from uncle: How tough love turned Benji into a Tiger". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). 8 January 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010. 
  10. ^ "Grandpa Marshall gets 'trip of a lifetime' to final". NZ Herald. 29 September 2005. Retrieved 12 August 2012. 
  11. ^ "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 10 October 2008. 
  12. ^ Not only that, he made his debut for the Wests Tigers that year."Fans turn Parra blue and gold". Brisbane Times (Fairfax). 2 October 2009. Retrieved 11 April 2010. 
  13. ^ NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt | League | Sport| tvnz.co.nz
  14. ^ Collis, Ian; Whiticker, Alan (2007). 100 Years of Rugby League Volume 2:1967-2007. Chatswood, New South Wales: New Holland Publishers. p. 271. ISBN 978-1-74110-463-9. 
  15. ^ a b "Benji blow for Kiwis". TVNZ. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 28 March 2010. 
  16. ^ Fitzgibbon, Liam (16 March 2008). "Benji injury sours Tigers win". Fox Sports (News). Retrieved 16 March 2008. 
  17. ^ Fitzgibbon, Liam (9 July 2008). "Benji Marshall to switch to halfback – permanently". Daily Telegraph (Sydney: News). Retrieved 27 March 2009. 
  18. ^ a b "Move Benji to halfback says Sheens". Stuff Sport (Fairfax). 29 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2009. 
  19. ^ Marshall, Benji; Jackson, Glenn (2011). Benji : Benji Marshall: my game, my story. Sydney, New South Wales: Hachette Australia. ISBN 978-0-7336-2787-3. 
  20. ^ "Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008. 
  21. ^ AAP (7 November 2008). "Benji Marshall to captain Kiwis in World Cup match with England". Daily Telegraph (News). Retrieved 9 November 2008. 
  22. ^ "New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final in Brisbane". Fox Sports (News). 22 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008. 
  23. ^ Walter, Brad (27 March 2009). "The best I've ever seen Benji: Sheens". League HQ (Fairfax). Retrieved 27 March 2009. [dead link]
  24. ^ "Benji Marshall will stay at Wests Tigers until 2011 after re-signing with the club". Fox Sports (News). 12 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009. 
  25. ^ "Marshall named at five-eighth". Daily Telegraph (Sydney: News). 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009. 
  26. ^ Webster, Andrew (23 October 2009). "Secret plot to sack Benji Marshall". Daily Telegraph (Sydney: News). Retrieved 13 November 2009. 
  27. ^ Andrew Webster (10 November 2009). "Hayne named Player of the Year". Daily Telegraph (Sydney: News). Retrieved 13 November 2009. 
  28. ^ Jackson, Glenn (25 February 2010). "Who said loyalty was dead?". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 27 February 2010. 
  29. ^ "NRL All Stars Team". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 24 January 2012. 
  30. ^ Cousins, Wayne (26 March 2010). "Wests Tigers Beat Parramatta 23–12 in NRL". Wests Tigers. Retrieved 2 April 2010. 
  31. ^ Jackson, Glenn (19 July 2010). "Oops, I did it again, says Marshall after his big field goal from halfway". Brisbane Times (Fairfax). Retrieved 12 July 2010. 
  32. ^ Jackson, Glenn (24 September 2010). "Benji's secret session with ex-Socceroos boss". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 1 November 2010. 
  33. ^ a b Middleton, David, ed. (2010). 2010 Official Rugby League Annual. Alexandria NSW: News Magazines for the National Rugby League. 
  34. ^ unknown (3 December 2010). "Marshall wins Golden Boot". Press Association. Retrieved 3 December 2010. 
  35. ^ Scheikowski, Margaret (24 August 2011). "Benji Marshall's assault charge dismissed". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 24 April 2012. 
  36. ^ Dean Ritchie (13 June 2011). "Marshall magic sparks Tigers comeback win". Daily Telegraph (News). Retrieved 15 June 2011. 
  37. ^ David Beniuk (21 August 2011). "Blake Ayshford bags two as Wests Tigers beat Parramatta Eels in NRL round 24 match". Daily Telegraph (News). Retrieved 21 August 2011. 
  38. ^ "Slater scoops player award". Sky Sports. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011. 
  39. ^ Walter, Brad (5 February 2012). "Intensity aplenty with All Star scuffles and Merritt magic". Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax). Retrieved 5 February 2012. 
  40. ^ "NRL STATISTICS". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 12 September. 
  41. ^ "Player Stats". The Score. Retrieved 13 September 2012. 
  42. ^ Wayne Cousins. "Post match review: Benji Marshall still confident of finals berth". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  43. ^ "2012 Dally M Awards Results". League Unlimited. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012. 

References [edit]

External links [edit]
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