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{{Infobox rugby league biography
|playername = Benji Marshall
|fullname = Benjamin Quentin Marshall<reF>[http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=M&id=717 MARSHALL, BENJAMIN QUENTIN 2005 - 2010 - KIWI #717] ''nzleague.co.nz''</ref>
|nickname = Bagz
|image = Benji Marshall (26 April 2009).jpg
|caption = <small>Marshall in 2009</small>
|position = {{rlp|FE|HB}}
|dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1985|2|25|df=yes}}
|placeofbirth = [[Whakatane]]
|countryofbirth = [[New Zealand]]
|height = {{convert|181|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|89|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|club1 = [[Wests Tigers]]
|year1start = 2003
|year1end = present
|appearances1 = 132
|tries1 = 54
|goals1 = 215
|fieldgoals1 = 3
|points1 = 649
|teamA = [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]]
|yearAstart = 2005
|yearAend = 2010
|appearancesA = 12
|triesA = 3
|goalsA = 5
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 22
|teamB = [[All Stars Match|NRL All Stars]]
|yearBstart = 2010
|yearBend = 2011
|appearancesB = 2
|triesB = 1
|goalsB = 2
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 8
|updated = 27 March 2011
|source =[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/player-profile?playerid=108774&teamid=3400 League Central] [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Benji_Marshall/summary.html Rugby League Project]
}}
'''Benji Marshall''' (born 25 February 1985 in [[Whakatane]], New Zealand) is a professional [[rugby league]] footballer with the [[Wests Tigers]] of the [[National Rugby League]] (NRL) competition. A goal-kicking [[Rugby League positions#Stand-off|five-eighth]], he is the current captain of the [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand national team]], with whom he won the [[2008 Rugby League World Cup|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 is currently the face of the [[2011 NRL season]].

==Early life==
Marshall was raised without his biological father, but has spoken of the influence of his foster-father Michael Doherty,<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''The Australian''|title=Benji wants to make a difference |author=Brent Read|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/benji-wants-to-make-a-difference/story-e6frg7mf-1225910109163|accessdate=3 December 2010|date=26 August 2010}}</ref> and other men within his extended family. He has said he had, "10 or 11 fathers … which is not a bad thing."<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Sydney Morning Herald''|title=Man from uncle: How tough love turned Benji into a Tiger |author=|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/man-from-uncle-how-tough-love-turned-benji-into-a-tiger-20100107-lwy5.html?feed=html|accessdate=20 March 2010|date=8 January 2010}}</ref> He went to school at Whakatane Intermediate.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Sydney Morning Herald''|title=Prince's purple reign|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/princes-purple-reign/2005/09/16/1126750128231.html|accessdate=26 August 2009|date=17 September 2005}}</ref> 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 [[Australia national schoolboys rugby league team|Australian Schoolboys team]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League |url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=7-2130-0-0-0&sID=26424 |accessdate=2008-10-10 | publisher=''SportingPulse''}}</ref> He also represented Australia in [[touch football]] that year.<ref>Not only that, he made his debut for the [[Wests Tigers]] that year.{{cite news
| last =
| first =
| coauthors =
| title = Fans turn Parra blue and gold
| work = The Sydney Morning Herald
| place = Australia
| pages = 204
| language = japs
| publisher = Fairfax Digital
| date = 2009-10-02
| url = http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/sport/fans-turn-parra-blue-and-gold-20091003-ggpe.html
| accessdate = 2010-04-11}}</ref>

== NRL career ==
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 (rugby)|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 Rugby League Football Club|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 was a member of the [[Wests Tigers]] that defeated [[North Queensland Cowboys]] in the 2005 grand final,where he set up a 90-metre try to [[Pat Richards]], which was considered to be one of the best tries of grand final history.<ref>{{cite book | author=Ian Collis & Alan Whiticker |title=100 Years of Rugby League Volume 2:1967-2007 |year=2007
|publisher=''New Holland Publishers'' |location=[[Chatswood, New South Wales]] |isbn=978-1-74110-463-9 |pages=271}}</ref> The try involved a trademark 'flick pass', at about the 50-metre line to Richards. Marshall then underwent surgery on his weak shoulder in the off-season.

In 2006, Marshall made his comeback from surgery against St George Illawarra but broke his cheek bone.<ref name="tvnz">{{cite news|publisher=''TV NZ''|title=Benji blow for Kiwis|author=|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/sport_story_skin/697216|accessdate=28 March 2010|date=8 April 2006}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="tvnz" /> 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.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Fox Sports News (Australia)''|title=Marshall extends his contract|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23179902-23214,00.html |accessdate=2008-02-08-|date=2008-02-08}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|author=By Liam Fitzgibbon|publisher=''Fox Sports News (Australia)''|title=Benji injury sours Tigers win |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23384615-23214,00.html |accessdate=2008-03-16|date=2008-03-16}}</ref> He returned in round 7.

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.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Fox Sports News (Australia)''|title=Benji Marshall will stay at Wests Tigers until 2011 after re-signing with the club |url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benji_Marshall&action=edit |accessdate=12 March 2009|date=12 March 2009}}</ref> A year later he signed a further extension, 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."<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Sydney Morning Herald''|title=Who said loyalty was dead?|author=Glenn Jackson|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/who-said-loyalty-was-dead-20100224-p3lg.html|accessdate=27 February 2010|date=25 February 2010}}</ref>

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]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WESTS TIGERS BEAT PARRAMATTA 23–12 IN NRL|url=http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=23870&wests-tigers-beat-parramatta-23-12-in-nrl |accessdate=2 April 2010 | publisher=''weststigers.com.au''}}</ref> Later that year, in a match against the [[Gold Coast Titans|Titans]], Marshall kicked a 51 metre long field goal, considered to be the longest in NRL history.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Brisbane Times''|title=Oops, I did it again, says Marshall after his big field goal from halfway |author=Glenn Jackson|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/oops-i-did-it-again-says-marshall-after-his-big-field-goal-from-halfway-20100711-105oo.html|accessdate=12 July 2010|date=19 July 2010}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Sydney Morning Herald''|title=Benji's secret session with ex-Socceroos boss |author=Glenn Jackson|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-preview/benjis-secret-session-with-exsocceroos-boss-20100923-15oy6.html|accessdate=1 November 2010|date=24 September 2010}}</ref> He played in 34 games in 2010, the most of any NRL player.<ref name="2010 annual">{{cite journal | author=David Middleton (editor)|title=2010 Official Rugby League Annual |year=2010 |publisher=''News Magazines'' for the [[National Rugby League]] |location=Alexandria NSW, 2015
|page=}}</ref>

Marshall was named as the winner of [[Rugby League World Golden Boot Award|2010 Golden Boot]]. He is the first Wests Tigers player to win this award and the third New Zealander, after [[Hugh McGahan]] and [[Stacey Jones]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''The Press Association ''|title=Marshall wins Golden Boot |author=unknown|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h-29AqUyZ7cgtdy6eo-IhqFKSrvQ?docId=N0415331291365912370A|accessdate=3 December 2010|date=3 December 2010}}</ref> He was also named by [[Big League]] magazine as one of the five players of the year. <ref name="2010 annual" />

===Move to halfback===
[[File:Kurt Gidley and Benji Marshall (26 April 2009).jpg|thumb|right|Marshall running the ball in a match against the [[Newcastle Knights]] in 2009.]]
Halfway through 2008, coach [[Tim Sheens]]' announced his plan to move Marshall to the halfback position during the 2009 season,<ref>{{cite news|author=Liam Fitzgibbon|publisher=''The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)''|title=Benji Marshall to switch to halfback – permanently |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,23993192-5012658,00.html |accessdate=27 March 2009|date=9 July 2008}}</ref> going as far as encouraging New Zealand coach [[Stephen Kearney]] to play Marshall in this role during the 2008 World Cup.<ref name="kearney">{{cite news|publisher=''stuff.co.nz''|title=Move Benji to halfback says Sheens |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/693610 |accessdate=27 March 2009|date=29 October 2008}}</ref> The suggestion was declined.<ref name="kearney" /> In round one of the 2009 season, Marshall started at halfback alongside [[John Morris (rugby league)|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]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Brad Walter|publisher=''Fairfax Digital''|title=The best I've ever seen Benji: Sheens |url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/the-best-ive-ever-seen-benji-sheens/2009/03/27/1237657156529.html |accessdate=27 March 2009|date=27 March 2009}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

Marshall returned to his old position of five-eighth from July, 2009,<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Daily Telegraph (Sydney)''|title=Marshall named at five-eighth |author=|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/marshall-named-at-five-eighth/story-e6frexnr-1225744258948|accessdate=13 November 2009|date=30 June 2009}}</ref> though both Marshall and coach [[Tim Sheens]] insisted that Marshall had been switching between first and second receiver throughout the entire season.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Daily Telegraph (Sydney)''|title=Secret plot to sack Benji Marshall |author=Andrew Webster |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/secret-plot-to-sack-benji-marshall/story-e6frexnr-1225790156814|accessdate=13 November 2009|date=23 October 2009}}</ref> Marshall went on to be named at 5/8 in the Team of the Year as chosen by The Rugby League International Federation.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Daily Telegraph (Sydney) ''|title=Hayne named Player of the Year |author=Andrew Webster|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/hayne-named-player-of-the-year/story-e6frexnr-1225795997992|accessdate=13 November 2009|date=10 November 2009}}</ref>

== International career ==
Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career.<ref>[http://tvnz.co.nz/view/sport_story_skin/444213?format=html NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt | LEAGUE | SPORT | tvnz.co.nz<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 2003 he was approached by the [[New Zealand Rugby League|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 [[2008 Rugby League World Cup squads#New Zealand|Kiwi]] squad.<ref name="Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656238.stm|title=Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07}}</ref> Marshall captained New Zealand for the first time on 8 November 2008, in a World Cup match against [[England national rugby league team|England]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''The Daily Telegraph''|title=Benji Marshall to captain Kiwis in World Cup match with England |url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24616053-5006066,00.htmls |accessdate=9 Nov 2008|date=7 Nov 2008}}</ref> Marshall scored a try and kicked two conversions in the Kiwi's [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]] final victory over the [[Australia national rugby league team|Kangaroos]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=''Fox Sports News (Australia)''|title=New Zealand humble Kangaroos in World Cup final in Brisbane |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24692100-5016947,00.html |accessdate=23 Nov 2008|date=22 Nov 2008}}</ref>


Following Kiwis captain [[Nathan Cayless]]' retirement from international football in 2009, Marshall was named as captain in that year's [[ANZAC Test]].
Following Kiwis captain [[Nathan Cayless]]' retirement from international football in 2009, Marshall was named as captain in that year's [[ANZAC Test]].

Revision as of 05:36, 29 March 2011

Following Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless' retirement from international football in 2009, Marshall was named as captain in that year's ANZAC Test.

After leading the Kiwis to victory in the 2010 Four Nations tournament, Marshall was awarded the Rugby League World Golden Boot Award for international footballer of the year, the first New Zealand player to win it since his countryman Stacey Jones did in 2002.

As captain of New Zealand, Marshall was an automatic selection for the NRL All Stars in 2010 and 2011.[1]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "League HQ". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 February 2011. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)

References

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