Benji Marshall has made an encouraging start to his Super Rugby career, getting through 40 minutes for the Blues in his first game of rugby union in more than a decade.
The former West Tigers and Kiwis rugby league star played the opening two quarters at five-eighth in the Blues’ 38-35 pre-season loss to the Hurricanes on Saturday in Masterton.
There was no sign of nerves from Marshall, who distributed the ball well, made the odd run at the line and took on the responsibility of re-starts and kicking for touch.
Marshall tried his trademark sidestep once – and met the considerable force of Hurricanes flanker Ardie Savea – but mostly, he was content sticking to basics and getting a feel for his new position.
“I didn’t set the game on fire but, in terms of trying to get control and feel for playing 10, everything I wanted to get I got out of it,” said a happy Marshall.
“It wasn’t about being the best player on the field. It was just trying to get through what we practised and get a feel for the game.”
Marshall didn’t shy away in defence, although he failed to hold on to Tim Bateman in the build-up to the Hurricanes’ third try. He even opted to get stuck into a couple of rucks, with mixed results.
Blues coach John Kirwan was pleased with Marshall’s first hitout and ruled out a switch to fullback.
“I think (first-five) is his position,” said Kirwan. “He certainly put his hand up today so we’ll put him out there again next week and we’ll just keep working on him. It was a good start.”
The match, in front of a sold-out crowd of 6000, was an entertaining one, which produced 11 tries – six for the Hurricanes and five for the Blues.
The Blues recovered from a 19-0 deficit to lead 21-19 at halftime, and 35-24 at three-quarter time, but more direct running from the Hurricanes in the final spell produced the rewards and lock James Broadhurst scored the winning try with eight minutes to go.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kuruki : according to wiki, Liaki Moli is only 6' 4". with Kaino in the ranks, maybe Luatua will go to 2nd row also.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Hayden Triggs is the Blues new lock. I'd say he will go straight into the top 3 rotation.
IronAwe
Guest
You think he could oust Cruden? I've never watched much league, but I would be well impressed if Benji made it to the 10 for the All Blacks.
Chivas
Guest
Remember he is a bit older and he would of lost a yard of pace that at the peak if his career, so more reliant on his other skills now I think. You are right about FB defence, but defence is also hoofing it out of your territory. Either you run it out like Cullen or you hoof it like Dagg. Not sure Benji would excel at either of these. Folau has size and strength over Benji so gives him an advantage. Clearly you don't need the FB running the length of the field got tries, but you need him to be able to get play back to where the tight five are in order to keep everything moving forward. I just feel Benji's skills are better suited right now to first five. My comment about defence was also in. Reference to apart from the back three he could only be considered first five or half. But you are right about FB, Spencer would often drift back there too because he could kick and link well a bit like Leon McDonald without the pace, but a bigger kick. I hope he finds his feet. Without doubt he has a plethora of skills and with the personnel around the Auckland team that can help him adjust he should be ok, otherwise I would be more concerned. I'm looking forward to this year, the Blues, the Tahs, can the chiefs do it again, Crusaders, the a Force (soft spot for WA), the Brumbies with Pocock, Toomua etc. and how the new coaching regime will go. Wish we were in week one already
soapit
Guest
not sure defence is as big an issue for a fullback, look how many international fullbacks have q marks on their defence (justified or not). its pretty common for leaguies to come in through fullback because they can sit back and learn things including defence. i also think his pace would be ok, at least at folaus level but perhaps withou the bonus aerial skills i suppose. he used to be pretty quick in league, check out some of his solo tries. they're often a few steps and then he's away.
soapit
Guest
i tend to think the subtleties of getting a union backline going are not necessarily so easy to pick up judging by how often top class 5/8's struggle to do it. only time will tell imo
mick
Guest
Ha Tane i love your comments...such a twerp.
Chivas
Guest
Well he could do worse and be taking pointers from Fox :-)
Chivas
Guest
I agree with that assertion Kuruki and I think at a base level, Benji is a solid enough both in defence and at kicking, so with a bit of refinement he will be a very solid first five, without being Spenceresque.
Chivas
Guest
Problem is SoapIt, not sure he has enough pace for the back three and defensively he will be a bit at sea. On the other hand his skills can be explored at first five, where he is not required to be a demon defender or have electrifying pace. At his age most of the speedsters are retiring and hanging up their boots.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Yes my comment was sarcastic sunshine, glad youre smart enough to pick up on it. Oh look I did it again.
Chan Wee
Guest
maybe in the next prctice match the ohers will run on . could be SJK does not want to lose any of his stars pre season , given already 3 regulars are out. Keven Mealamu Charlie Faumuina Tony Woodcock Tom Donnelly Patrick Tuipulotu Steve Luatua Luke Braid Jerome Kaino Piri Weepu Benji Marshall Francis Saili George Moala Frank Halai Charles Piutau Lolagi Visinia James Parsons Sam Prattley Ofa Tu'ungafasi Liaki Moli Peter Saili Jamison Gibson-Park Baden Kerr Jackson Wilson
Rugby stu
Roar Pro
Can't wait to see both Auckland vs Tahs in Sydney this weekend and also can't wait to see Reds vs Blues QC vs Benji (if Benji stays in 10). You don't have too be a super genius to see their similarities I have always wanted to see them line up against each other and I can recall hearing a few cross-code debates about who was better. Please Rugby gods make it happen!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CKcgSgbkYo
Chan Wee
Guest
@ Kuruki : there was talk thst SJK may start Piutau at 13 , in line with MIB wishes (given Nonu maybe not available for some time). Moala was a wing last season, right? but he is a big guy so maybe h is looked as Nonu - clone :) what news of replacement for Retallick? IMO Blues have the most exiiting backs in super. So hell of a job in Benji Marshall's hands to shift them !
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Yeah Moala will be pushing to start the season at 13 with Saili at 12 while Nonu gets back to 100% after his ankle work. Jackson Willison will keep them all honest. They have some exciting players in that squad. The true test will be when they cop a few injuries upfront, which will really test them. The interesting thing for me is what happens when Nonu comes into the side, there will be some unlucky players sitting on the pine.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I dunno Kaino might change the direction of a few opposition attacks pretty quickly.
atlas
Guest
knew re McGahan, he's signed with North Harbour for ITM Cup so is in Blues direct catchment (not that that means much these days) ; possibly he's on their extended-extended group (!) to train with the squad as don't know how long Chris Noakes is going to be out with his neck injury In October 2013 McGahan said he was inn talks with - Blues and Chiefs, and was also hopeful of interest from Hurricanes and Crusaders, so maybe Blues do have him on some sort of deal - he would not be training for North Harbour at this stage of year; running with their development squad ?. Anyway, good luck to him maybe we'll see him in a Super match this season.
RugbyFan
Guest
forget Bennji for minute...the opposition have more than that to worry about.....Blues looked to have found their starting center in the form of George Moala....saw some highlights and he's wrecking havoc....also another of their young wingers Tevita Li who just left school labelled the next Lomu and it's easy to see why....the kid was breaking tackles left right and center also managed to score 2 tries
Highlander
Guest
Early season Super XV trials - Six Nations boys kicking off - YES! we're back.....love it. Benji is going to have nightmares about Ardie for a few days I think. Don't think the Blues have enough at 7 and 8 to protect his inside shoulder consistantly, he is early in his union education but defending that channel is crucial. Looks better minus a few kilos too.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ atlas : It seems SJK used a lot players from outside the "32" in this match. This guy Matt McGahan is not even in the wider group. Any idea who replaced C Retallick ? Starting XV 1. Sam Prattley 2. James Parsons 3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi 4. Liaki Moli 5. Patrick Tuipulotu 6. Kane Barrett 7. Brendon O’Connor 8. Peter Saili 9. Bryn Hall 10. Benji Marshall 11. Tevita Li 12. Jackson Willison 13. George Moala 14. Lolagi Visinia 15. Albert Nikoro Reserves 16. Greg Pleasants-Tate 17. Tom McCartney 18. Angus Ta’avao 19. William Lloyd 20. Tom Murday 21. Jordan Manihera 22. Chris Vui 23. Jamison Gibson-Park 24. Sonatane Takulua 25. Baden Kerr 26. Matt McGahan 27. Marty Swart