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The Blues are rabble and have been for years. They lack identity, leadership and stability. In 2014, The Blues failure to find a fly-half is a metaphor for the entire franchise.
The fly-half is supposed to be the general, the master tactician who runs the game. This year the Blues have no general.
Simon Hickey, Chris Noakes and Benji Marshall have all worn the 10 jersey this season and they have all generally struggled.
Hickey is a youngster with time on his side. He is not spectacular, but solid enough to do a job and appears to be a reasonable prospect.
Noakes is a journeyman, while star-recruit Benji Marshall has been a disaster.
A good twenty minutes in the first game of the season and a fine individual try is all that Marshall has produced so far this year.
Marshall has the talent to be a success, but he has no feel for the game. His instincts on when to pass, kick and run are all wrong. He doesn’t appear to understand ‘lines’, ‘using the wind,’ ‘dummy cuts,’ or anything specific to rugby union.
A tired forward pack and the tactics of coach Sir John Kirwan have done Marshall no favours either.
Why pay a fortunate for somebody who spends most of his time on the bench? Why change his position twice during the season?
Marshall needs to start again. He should go and play some club rugby.
Waiheke, his official club aren’t in a top-flight competition, so the Auckland Rugby Union should release Marshall to play for a decent side in the Gallagher Shield.
Marshall needs rugby, any rugby, to learn the basics of the game. He needs to find some confidence, a feel and an identity as a footballer.
Generally there are two types of pivots in rugby, a technician or ‘confidence’ player.
A technician is someone like Morne Steyn. Their general skills are sufficient, but not as good as the ‘confidence’ player. However the technician has a better tactical appreciation for the game because by nature they are deeper thinkers.
A ‘confidence’ player is someone like Quade Cooper. They are capable of producing high excitement because of their supreme skills, but don’t have the some strategic insight as the technician.
However they usually have great instincts.
These categories are not mutually exclusive and both can be successful. It often depends upon the personal around you. In rare cases to, like Daniel Carter, you can have both.
What is Marshall – a technician or a ‘confidence’ player? At the moment he is neither, but with time he could become the latter.
In rugby league Marshall was at his best when it appeared like he didn’t have to think about what he was doing, because he had such a great feel for the game.
Carlos Spencer was much the same when he was playing for the Blues, his instincts were often superb.
Marshall is like the Blues he lacks identity and stability. His failure is the Blues failure.
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.