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Revision as of 11:31, 2 February 2012

Benji Marshall
Marshall playing for Wests in 2009
Personal information
Full nameBenjamin Quentin Marshall[1]
Born (1985-02-25) 25 February 1985 (age 39)[2]
Whakatane, New Zealand
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight89 kg (14 st 0 lb)
Playing information
PositionFive-eighth, Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003– Wests Tigers 155 66 285 6 840
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–2011 New Zealand 26[1] 13 31 0 106
2010–2011 NRL All Stars 2 1 2 0 8
As of 17 October 2011

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] and flick-passes[5] and in 2010 won the Golden Boot Award for the World's best player.[6]

Biography

Marshall was raised without his biological father, but has spoken of the influence of his foster-father Michael Doherty,[7] and other men within his extended family. He has said he had, "10 or 11 fathers … which is not a bad thing."[8] He went to school at Whakatane Intermediate.[9] 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.[10] He also represented Australia in touch football that year.[11] Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career.[12] In 2003 he was approached by the NZRL while he was playing with the Australian Schoolboys.

Professional playing career

2000s

Marshall made his NRL 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 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 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[14] 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 February 2008, Marshall extended his contract with the Wests Tigers by one year to include the 2009 season.[15] 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.[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]

In October 2008, Marshall was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.[19] Marshall captained New Zealand for the first time on 8 November 2008, in a World Cup match against England.[20] Marshall scored a try and kicked two conversions in the Kiwi's 2008 Rugby League World Cup final victory over the Kangaroos.[21]

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.[22]

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.[23] 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,[24] though both Marshall and coach Tim Sheens insisted that Marshall had been switching between first and second receiver throughout the entire season.[25] Marshall went on to be named at 5/8 in the Team of the Year as chosen by The Rugby League International Federation.[26]

In early 2009 Marshall signed a further extension with the Tigers, keeping him 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."[27]

2010s

As captain of New Zealand, Marshall was an automatic selection for the NRL All Stars in 2010.[28]

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.[29] 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.[30] 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.[31] He played in 34 games in 2010, the most of any NRL player.[32]

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.[33] He was also named by Big League magazine as one of the five players of the year.[32]

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.[34]

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.[35] 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.[36] 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.[37]

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b MARSHALL, BENJAMIN QUENTIN 2005 - 2010 - KIWI #717 nzleague.co.nz
  2. ^ "BENJI MARSHALL". asics.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ MARSHALL, BENJAMIN QUENTIN 2005 - 2010 - KIWI #717 nzleague.co.nz
  4. ^ Greg Prichard (1 October 2005). "Benji's care tactics". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 23 April 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ David Beniuk (3 August 2010). "Benji not given the boot by Wests Tigers". Wide World Of Sports. Retrieved 23 April 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  6. ^ Otto, Tyson (4 December 2010). "Benji Marshall new poster boy after Golden Boot win". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  7. ^ Brent Read (26 August 2010). "Benji wants to make a difference". The Australian. Retrieved 3 December 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Man from uncle: How tough love turned Benji into a Tiger". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ "Prince's purple reign". Sydney Morning Herald. 17 September 2005. Retrieved 26 August 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 10 October 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Not only that, he made his debut for the Wests Tigers that year."Fans turn Parra blue and gold". The Sydney Morning Herald (in japs). Australia: Fairfax Digital. 2 October 2009. p. 204. Retrieved 11 April 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  12. ^ NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt | LEAGUE | SPORT | tvnz.co.nz
  13. ^ Ian Collis & Alan Whiticker (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. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ a b "Benji blow for Kiwis". TV NZ. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 28 March 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ "Marshall extends his contract". Fox Sports News (Australia). 2008-02-08. Retrieved 2008-02-08-. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link]
  16. ^ By Liam Fitzgibbon (16 March 2008). "Benji injury sours Tigers win". Fox Sports News (Australia). Retrieved 16 March 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ 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)
  18. ^ 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)
  19. ^ "Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  20. ^ "Benji Marshall to captain Kiwis in World Cup match with England". The Daily Telegraph. 7 November 2008. Retrieved 9 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final in Brisbane". Fox Sports News (Australia). 22 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ 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) [dead link]
  23. ^ "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)
  24. ^ "Marshall named at five-eighth". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 30 June 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Andrew Webster (23 October 2009). "Secret plot to sack Benji Marshall". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 13 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ Andrew Webster (10 November 2009). "Hayne named Player of the Year". Daily Telegraph (Sydney) . Retrieved 13 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  27. ^ Glenn Jackson (25 February 2010). "Who said loyalty was dead?". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 February 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  28. ^ "League HQ". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 February 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ "WESTS TIGERS BEAT PARRAMATTA 23–12 IN NRL". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 2 April 2010. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Glenn Jackson (19 July 2010). "Oops, I did it again, says Marshall after his big field goal from halfway". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 12 July 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  31. ^ Glenn Jackson (24 September 2010). "Benji's secret session with ex-Socceroos boss". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 1 November 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ a b David Middleton (editor) (2010). "2010 Official Rugby League Annual". Alexandria NSW, 2015: News Magazines for the National Rugby League. {{cite journal}}: |author= has generic name (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)CS1 maint: location (link)
  33. ^ unknown (3 December 2010). "Marshall wins Golden Boot". The Press Association . Retrieved 3 December 2010. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Scheikowski, Margaret: Benji Marshall's assault charge dismissed, The Sydney Morning Herald, 24 August 2011.
  35. ^ Dean Ritchie (13 June 2011). "Marshall magic sparks Tigers comeback win". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 June 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ David Beniuk (21 August 2011). "Blake Ayshford bags two as Wests Tigers beat Parramatta Eels in NRL round 24 match". Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Retrieved 21 August 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  37. ^ "Slater scoops player award". Sky Sports. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.

References

External links

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