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|yearAstart = 2005
|yearAstart = 2005
|yearAend = present
|yearAend = present
|appearancesA = 7
|appearancesA = 8
|triesA = 2
|triesA = 3
|goalsA = 1
|goalsA = 3
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 10
|pointsA = 18
|updated =
|updated =
|source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=990001 NRL Stats] and [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Benji_Marshall.html Rugby League project]
|source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=990001 NRL Stats] and [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Benji_Marshall.html Rugby League project]

Revision as of 05:11, 2 April 2009

Benji Marshall
Personal information
Full nameBenji Quentin Marshall
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight92 kg (14 st 7 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003– Wests Tigers 83 33 74 0 280
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005– New Zealand 8 3 3 0 18

Benji Marshall (born 25 February 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competition. He primarily played at five-eighth before moving to halfback in 2009. He has represented New Zealand in internationals.

NRL career

While attending Keebra Park Secondary High School, Marshall played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2003.[1]

Marshall made his debut on the 27 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.

In February 2008, Marshall extended his contract with the Wests Tigers by one year to include the 2009 season.[2] Marshall's streak of injury continued in the first game of the 2008 season, injured in the third minute of the match with a knee ligament tear.[3] He returned in round 7.

In March, 2009, despite speculation that he may play rugby union in Japan, Marshall signed with the Wests Tigers for a further two seasons through to the end of 2011.[4]

Move to halfback

Halfway through 2008, coach Tim Sheens' announced his plan to move Marshall to the halfback position during the 2009 season,[5] going as far as encouraging New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney to play Marshall in this role during the 2008 World Cup.[6] The suggestion was declined.[6] 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.[7]

International career

Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career[8]. 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.

Marshall was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his shoulder in June ruled him out.

In October 2008, Marshall was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.[9] Marshall captained New Zealand for the first time on 8 November, 2008, in a World Cup match against England.[10] Marshall scored a try and kicked two conversions in the Kiwi's 2008 Rugby League World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos.[11]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 2008-10-10. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ "Marshall extends his contract". Fox Sports News (Australia). 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-08-. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ By Liam Fitzgibbon (2008-03-16). "Benji injury sours Tigers win". Fox Sports News (Australia). Retrieved 2008-03-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  4. ^ "Benji Marshall will stay at Wests Tigers until 2011 after re-signing with the club". Fox Sports News (Australia). 12 March 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ Liam Fitzgibbon (9 July 2008). "Benji Marshall to switch to halfback - permanently". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 27 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ a b "Move Benji to halfback says Sheens". stuff.co.nz. 29 October 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Brad Walter (27 March 2009). "The best I've ever seen Benji: Sheens". Fairfax Digital. Retrieved 27 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt | LEAGUE | SPORT | tvnz.co.nz
  9. ^ "Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai". BBC. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  10. ^ "Benji Marshall to captain Kiwis in World Cup match with England". The Daily Telegraph. 7 Nov 2008. Retrieved 9 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final in Brisbane". Fox Sports News (Australia). 22 Nov 2008. Retrieved 23 Nov 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

References

External links


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