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If I were Benji Marshall, I’d be thinking very seriously about staying in New Zealand and trying to land a gig with the New Zealand Warriors.
The Warriors would be the perfect fit for Benji, who had every intention of making it big in rugby union but was never given a decent chance at the Auckland Blues.
The NRL’s Auckland-based club have the makings of a dangerous team, and a man of Marshall’s experience and creativity could provide something missing in their current line-up. They could certainly afford him and he could form a lethal combination with gun halfback Sean Johnson.
Benji is an entertainer and a magnet for the youngsters who follow the game. We should welcome this type of player and there are a number of clubs who could benefit from his football skills and profile. He still has something to offer in rugby league and here’s hoping he can find a new home in the NRL and not be forced to pack his bags for the UK Super League.
By signing Benji, the Warriors would have nothing to lose. He may or may not end up there, it’s probably too early to say, but I just hope he doesn’t try for a return to the Wests Tigers, as it might upset their applecart a couple of months into a highly promising season.
Having played junior league in Sydney’s golden west, I am delighted at the start enjoyed by the Tigers, as well as Penrith, Parramatta and Canterbury. League means so much to the people of these districts and if these clubs continue to aim up, watch for a strong upswing in crowds over the next five months.
Mick Potter was a man under enormous pressure at the start of the year but has shown what he can do as the Tigers’ coach, with five tremendous wins in the first seven rounds. He has assembled a willing and robust forward pack more than capable of matching any in the comp and has allowed the youngsters in the team to express themselves within his game structures.
You’ve got to like how Luke Brooks is settling in, and what about the skills and organisational ability shown by Blake Austin, deputising for injured skipper Robbie Farah? Austin has been highly impressive and the coach might have to find a place for him in the starting team when Farah returns.
My old club, Canterbury, created history over the weekend with another one-point win, their third in succession. The Dogs are not winning pretty but they are nevertheless finding a way – a far cry from what we saw last season. Coach Des Hasler must be thrilled to see his players leading the comp after seven rounds, as he knows there is so much improvement in them in the months ahead.
They look to be coping really well despite the loss of Ben Barba. Sam Perrett was handed the No. 1 jumper from the start and is growing into the position, despite talk the club is hunting for a top-class fullback for next season and beyond. That would not be an easy predicament for any player to find himself in but Sam is a hardy professional and it is definitely showing.
He doesn’t get many raps from the media but the coach and players are pleased with his contribution, which must be an enormous confidence builder.
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