- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
I have seen so many articles written about Benji Marshall and how he is failing in rugby and should go back to rugby league.
There have been articles from ‘respected’ writers like Brendan Cannon where he suggests that Benji is not up to rugby.
Or, the article that talks about ‘Code Floppers’, which suggests he is a flop.
Are we being too quick to judge the transformation of Benji from the NRL to rugby?
Let me state this, Benji hasn’t played rugby for over ten years and has enormous pressure on him to be the messiah for the Blues.
I got to see Benji, or as the Kiwis I was with called him ‘Benchy’, play against the Brumbies a week or so ago in the flesh. It meant I got to see him play in person, in particular his positional play during the twenty minutes he played.
One thing I would like to state before I state my thoughts on Benji’s play is that it has to be noted that he was not playing well for the Tigers. In fact my brother, who is a huge Tigers fan, was happy with the fact he saw him playing for the Blues.
Benji was unfit, non-committal and clearly not happy. This lead to him warming the bench for the Tigers, no different to now.
Also how critical in the past have people been on players who crossed from rugby league?
Look at Sonny Bill Williams. When he first went to rugby, he was heavily criticised. He was out of position, didn’t understand the game and so on. Yet given time, Sonny Bill grew into rugby, found his position and succeeded.
In the Brumbies versus Blues game, by the time Benji came on the game was gone.
The Brumbies had a fantastic kicking game that in the wet conditions worked, whereas the Blues had a poor or non-existent one. So for the last 20 minutes the Blues had to push for anything against a team in control.
Enter Benji.
In the plays that ensued from Benji’s entry, the Blues didn’t have much happening. But, at one point the Blues got a lineout on the Brumbies 22, and Benji encouraged the quick throw, took the ball and went forward, but the Brumbies shut it down.
The Brumbies shutting it down wasn’t the problem – Benji was trying something that nearly came off. What happened next was the problem. It is the thing that needs to change for Benji that will make his transition a successful one. Benji walked back to position.
This ordinarily would not be a problem in a breakdown in play. But I watched the Eels versus Broncos game when I got home and noticed an interesting trend in the No. 6 for the Eels, Chris Sandow. Sandow did some great things, but between each he walked back into position.
And let me go really local. In 2011 I went to a grand final between the Queanbeyan Kangaroos and the Queanbeyan Blues. The game was pretty even except for the six for the Roos.
He was outstanding in his play in kicking well, putting players through gaps and general game management. But I noticed that he walked between each great play the he did.
In rugby as the 10 or 15 you have to get into position quickly all game.
Remember that in rugby league – and I am not being critical, league fans – you have six tackles which are pretty much guaranteed.
In rugby every tackle, scrum and lineout is a contest. This means every play you have to be ready.
I will cede this point to the leagiues, rugby does have a lot of stoppages.
So is this Benji’s problem? Does he get the continuity of the game of rugby? And if not why not? Is it his fault or that of the coaches and players?
Given he has played only four to five months of rugby in over 10 years, are we being too harsh? I reckon Benji needs some time out of the spotlight, perhaps in the NPC. This will give him the idea of what is required.
In my opinion, Benji can be great, he just needs the right coaching and guidance in his play. The criticism will only highlight his failings, eroding his confidence.
And for what end? Wouldn’t it be great to see Benji throwing flick passes and putting through chip kicks? So give the guy a go, and get the right coaching and guidance for him that can make him the player we all knew he could be.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.