Why Benji should be snapped up by rugby

Old post I know. But abolish line outs and rucks? That would make I as boring as league currently is. Competition for the ball is the most important thing for a footy code which is the problem with league. Watching the likes of McCaw or Pocock steal a ball in a ruck is the best part of the game. Best solution is to allow lifting tackles again in rugby, without ones like warburtons being penalized, and reduce the points for a field goal to 2 points. For league, reintroduce pushing in the scrum, raking at the play the ball, and stop penalizing good tackles as 'strips' cos the ball carrier didn't protect the ball. Also penalize players lying all over the tackled player more often to stop them doing it and therefore speeding up the game. Then we would have 2 great codes to watch.

I disagree Larkham used to glide on the angle into the gap. not across field like league play makers do. They can only do that because they have so much time and space given to them. Rugby fly halves have more pressure and less time to make decisions than league play makers.

The brand for a rugby player isn't as big as league in Austraia but it is much bigger around the globe. Many people around the world that know top rugby stars don't even know the numbering system of the positions in league let alone the name of the players.

Nice try, Tiger. League is more popular than union in maybe two countries on earth. Union can run a realistic world cup with 20 nations participating, whereas Legue struggles to scrape together 4 natiional teams for a tournament. As for Benji, I think you are right, he may well stay in league as you predict. Mind you, if he wants to have a go at union he won't have any problem from the money perspective - globally there is far more money in union than in league these days.

Global brand? Union is popular in about 7 countries! He will stay in the game he loves!

I'm not so sure, public perception grants honorary status to profiles who have been examined and tested in one code.It would be ludicrous to pre judge athletes base on their professional resume. Billy Slater started to come of age at 25yrs old before that like everyone else he was a typical student of the game. Some professional players excel between 17yrs-20yr maybe its their physical nature to withstand a demanding ARU,AFL or NRL season.In my opinion the 17-20yr old rookie equip with a state of mind equivalent of a bomb disposal expert gets the nod. The basic entry level is skill how they process information and deliver it under pressure without mistakes is what makes them ideal cross code candidates furthermore its complimented by their age. Public speculation inflames false perception on individuals they recommend as successful code hoppers. By the comments here host of players have been branded certainties is there any thought why they haven't move? Maybe they have their limits or its the comfortability of remaining in one code? could it be the pressure to please the joe public and not crossover? Whatever the decision the fact lies within his/her mental capacity however performing at young age {in sporting terms} is advantageous. Accurate assessments are done well after the switch of codes to judge without transition is favouritism.

'I’d have to seriously ask whether Marshall would really increase his brand that much by playing for the Wallabies? If he was to do so then he’d have to have some strikingly good games.' I wonder the same, no argument that Rugby has a bigger potential worldwide audience but are Wallabies players really household names in France/Argentina etc? Because they're not here - I'm an occasional Wallabies fan (I watch most Bledisloes and saw a few games of the WC) but I could only name a handful. Within Australia his profile would nosedive, unless he gets himself in trouble ala Sailor. His profile in NZ would likely only increase slightly (as a Wallaby - undoubtedly it would grow more as an AB) but NZ has less people and about half the economy of Sydney alone so there's not much increase in 'brand' value there. It's a serious question though, are Wallabies players really big-brand, household names in heaps of other countries? And, if so, is it just the exceptional ones (i.e. Campo, Eales, etc) or can your average person in France really name 5 current Wallabies off the top of their heads?

My goodness. Marshall will never Play RU. He is a pretty much dyed in the wool League man.

I'd have to seriously ask whether Marshall would really increase his brand that much by playing for the Wallabies? If he was to do so then he'd have to have some strikingly good games. He'd be more likely to build his brand significantly by playing for the AB's, but the chances of him making that change would be slim, given the talent available in NZ. Still, he could make the move to the Blues and become quite a drawcard (possibly playing along side SBW again) and then look to break into the AB's side ahead of 2015. His options would likely be at 9,10 or 15. He could also potentially have a go on the wing in a Corey Jane like role, but his passing skills would be wasted somewhat. As a 9 he's need to learn to box kick accurately but he'd be incredibly dangerous running sidesways from rucks picking out runners or stepping to take on the tight forwards around the fringes (similar to Genia or Weepu). Halfbacks are also not really expected to be goal kickers (outside of France) so he could relinquish that role and concetrate on learning his new skills. He'd also be in the thick of things where he can direct players and have a strong influence on the game plan. I'd also hazard to guess that he's probably played halfback before as a Rugby junior in NZ (rather than at 10). Marshall is also younger than Cowan, Weepu and Ellis so he'd be a good shot for this position. No.10 requires most of the same skills as he currently possesses, althought longer punting to touch isn't really his thing (nor is static and often back foot ball). He'd also possibly have to kick goals in this position and would have to surpass Carter to start for the AB's, which will never happen. No.15 would allow him space and time and the flexibility to enter the backline wherever he wants to and target mismatches. He'd also be spared most of the heavy defensive traffic that seems to charge down the No.10 channel these days. Marshall would be an incredibly dangerous broken field runner who would be capable of punt returns or up an unders in equal measure. Kurtley Beale would be the blueprint for his play, with quick feet and a quick mind to exploit gaps. Israel Dagg would be a hard kid to get passed though, with a big frame and a great step of his own. Dagg also has a prodigious clearance punt and is rock solid under the high ball (so good luck trying to get passed him as he continues to improve with age). My pick would be Marshall to the Blues/AB's in 2013 to replace Weepu as a No.9/10/15 utility. Start him at 15 where he'd come on for Toeava later in the game (the latter moving to the midfield) with some trial matches at No.9 rotating with Mathewson and playing inside Anscombe and behind Kaino. He could make some serious money and would become a global icon carving up teams around the fringes ala Genia! Either that or he'll remain loyal to Wests until 2015 and then aim to get an increased deal with the new TV money to see out his career through to his early 30's. Then maybe head to France for a dabble.

Leftarm out of interest which other league players do you think would be worth pursuing for the national team?

John Eales and George Gregan are human sleeping pills. Certainly a laugh a minute those two.