Dual international Lote Tuqiri expects Wests Tigers teammate Benji Marshall to thrive in his code switch next year.
Tuqiri believes Marshall has found a great coaching fit in signing a two-year deal with the Auckland-based Blues and he sees the brilliant NRL attacker flourishing in the free-flowing Super Rugby competition.
However, Tuqiri is not about to predict that 28-year-old Marshall can fulfill his long-held dream of playing for the world champion All Blacks.
A veteran of 67 rugby union Tests for the Wallabies during his own code switch, Tuqiri says Marshall should adapt well under the Blues coach, All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan, and their technical advisor and former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry.
“I think it’s the perfect grounding for him (Marshall) to play more rugby, in that Super competition, where it’s pretty free-flowing and there’s a lot of points scored,” Tuqiri told AAP.
“I think that suits his game and I think he’s got a coach there and coaching staff who will mould him pretty well.
“He’s a thinker of the game and I think he’s played it before as well. He’s not coming from a place where he doesn’t have any experience in it.”
Tuqiri said it was tough to predict whether New Zealander Marshall could make the step to international rugby by earning All Blacks selection.
“He’s been a great player in rugby league. He’s been at the top level before, I’m sure he can do it again,” said Tuqiri.
“I’m not saying he’s going to make it, we’ve just got to see how he goes first. But I reckon he’ll go well. I reckon he’ll go really well.
“They’ve just got to find a good position for him and then go from there.”
While it’s likely the Blues will start Marshall away from the playmaker role, possibly at fullback, while he adapts, Tuqiri saw him as a viable option in three backline positions – five eighth, full back and inside centre.
“He’s the sort of guy who wants to have his hands on the ball, so for me I’d probably play him at No.10,” he said.
“At 15 (fullback), you’ve got to run a fair bit – not to say he can’t run a fair bit, but it’s a position where you’re probably having to run onto the ball, not creating chances a lot.
“He likes to create as well as running … so I think he’ll give good options for them going forward in any of those 10 to 12 positions.”
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