Benji Marshall made his Super Rugby debut this weekend and was a bright spark in a largely directionless Blues loss.
While he looked a little ineffectual at ruck time, he showed the leadership skills from his NRL days to get the Blues moving with a quick tap and then opened up the Highlanders defence (which had been solid) with a lovely cut out ball.
His input was valuable in the Tuipolotu try which almost got the Blues back into the game.
The Blues coach, John Kirwan, will be relieved that Marshall made such a positive debut as there is a train of thought going around that he has hamstrung his side by bringing in a novice who has to be selected because of the price paid for him and the marketing upside of having him in the 23.
However, Marshall came on when the Blues were mostly out of the game and the structure of the game had fallen apart.
If he harbours the desire to be a starting player (which he will need to be to get into the All Blacks) he will need to show that he can play the structured rugby (that includes territorial kicking) perfected by players like Dan Carter.
Marshall was an incredible rugby league player, up there with the greats in the game. So when speculating on how he will transition and what position would be best for him, it might be valuable to look at some other players that have made a similar switch and where they played.
Of course, every player is different, but we can compare skill sets and, to a lesser extent, achievements in each form of the game.
So, here are six case studies of players that have made the difficult play-maker switch in the past that might also point to the success or failure of Benji Marshall in rugby union.
1) Henry Paul
Similarities to Benji: New Zealander, played standoff in league and 10/12 in rugby, kicked goals and was New Zealand’s highest point scorer in a single game (before being eclipsed by Marshall.)
Success in League: Super League dream team 96, Super League finalist with Bradford 99. New Zealand National Squad.
Success in union: Zurich Premiership Player of the year nomination 2004, England National Squad 2002, 2004, England Sevens captain – Commonwealth Games medallist in 2006
Henry Paul, like Marshall, was a dominant player in his league days. He was slightly more robust than Marshall (and often played lock) but had a similar skill set that included a good range of passing and kicking skills.
Paul’s union transition started with a bang when he scored 28 points on debut for Gloucester, but he also ran into problems in his earlier days. He was selected for England in 2002, but was viewed as slightly flaky compared to English heroes, Johnny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall.
Paul had most of his union success with 7s and captained the English team that won the 2006 USA competition.
He returned toleaguein 2007.
2) Craig Gower
Similarities to Benji: Played five-eighth/halfback in league, played 10 in union, captained his club/country, Dally M winner, one time NRL premier.
Success in League: Penrith Panthers capt, Australia capt, NSW State of Origin, Dally M Hooker 2000, NRL Winner 2003, Italy National team 2013
Success in union: Italy National team 2009 – 2011
One big difference between Marshall and Gower was their position as a role-model, with Marshall being largely clean and Gower being a walking time bomb.
But despite the off-field drama and alcohol related incidents, Gower was one of Australia’s best league players in the early 2000s.
His switch to French rugby team Bayonne in 2007 probably had a lot to do with getting away from all the controversy in Australia. Despite that, he was selected into the Italian national team and showed a good understanding for the attacking and defensive duties of the 10 position.
He made a fairly good fist of his union sojourn but obviously missed the chaos and returned to league in 2012.
3) Tasesa Lavea
Similarities to Benji: Played rugby growing up, played standoff/halfback in league, played 10 in union, switched to the Blues, Dally M winner, one time NRL winner.
Success in League: one time NRL Champ with Melbourne in 1999, Dally M Rookie of the year 2000, New Zealand National Squad and record point scorer in 2000.
Success in union: Blues/Chiefs Club teams, Samoa National team 2010
Despite playing rugby growing up, Tasesa Lavea never had the same success in union as he did in League. He was the toast of Melbourne in the 1999 victory and was lauded for his goal kicking, but seemed to go off the boil after that and switched over to union in 2004.
He was rated in rugby and consistently made it into New Zealand Super Rugby teams but never ranked alongside the All Black 10s of the era, Carlos Spencer, Dan Carter and Nick Evans.
Lavea didn’t have the dynamic skill set or attacking instincts of Marshall and was more of a solid distributor and positional player which hampered his rise in the New Zealand union scene.
4) Matt Rogers
Similarities to Benji: Played rugby growing up, played center/fullback and standoff (occasionally) in league, played 10 in union, Dally M winner, greatest point scorer in club’s history (Cronulla).
Success in League: two time NRL finalist, Queensland State of Origin, Australian National Squad,leagueWorld Cup champion 2000,
Success in union: Waratahs, Australian National Team, World Cup finalist 2003,
Rogers is probably the most successful convert of this group and possibly the most successful convert that Australia has produced in the professional era.
Rogers was more of an outside back in both codes but also had a good all round game and found himself in the play-maker position on many occasions. He has gone on record as saying that he thinks that Marshall will succeed in union but sees his position as fullback more than 10.
5) Craig Wing
Similarities to Benji: Played halfback/standoff in League, one time NRL premier
Success in League: four time NRL finalist, NSW State of Origin, Australian National Squad
Success in union: Japanese National Team 2013
While never having the same profile as other league superstars, Craig Wing was an extremely successful rugby league player, being one of only a handful of players to play in four NRL finals.
He often played at hooker and had the same quick ball-playing skills that Marshall has.
He went to Japan in 2009 and was selected in the Japanese National team that upset Wales last year. Wing didn’t have the same lofty goals as Marshall in his switch, but his skill set quickly saw him transition to international rugby.
So, what to make of all this information? In rugby league, all of these players compared to Marshall in some way and all enjoyed lots of success.
However in rugby union, one could argue that only Matt Rogers really achieved the level of success that Benji wants to achieve. While this could be a bad omen for Marshall, the case for Henry Paul in 7s suggests that the shorter version of the game could be where he really finds his feet.
Another thing that the comparisons suggest is that 12 might be a better position for him.
Paul and Wing (as well as Sonny Bill Williams) found that the extra time at 12 away from roaming loose forwards allowed them to utilise their skills. But with the Blues having two All Blacks in the 12 position, Benji might find that a difficult spot to get into.
Also, I have a feeling that with Marshall being a long-time captain and a superstar in league, he will want to find the same recognition in union and the best place to do that will be 10.
Firstxv
Guest
Very true, I mean JK got him into a Blues strip while he was still a tiger...
Lindommer
Guest
Both Mat Rogers and Craig Wing played Australian Schoolboys in their early rugby careers. Some rugby experience certainly helps league players when they make the switch, Marshall's time playing rugby as a youth will stand him in good stead.
conor
Guest
EP Craig Wing went to Sydney Boy's High and thus played rugby in the eight team Sydney GPS competition against the likes of Joeys and Riverview before 10,000 spectator crowds on Saturday afternoons in winter. He played for the Australian Schoolboys rugby team as 5/8 and was considered one of the great schoolboy rugby players who got away to league. He's considered an Asian player in Japan because his mother is Filipina and therefore doesn't count as one of the three foreign players allowed onto the field in the Top Japanese league. Interesting for Kiwis, who might not know of Australian schoolboy rugby excellence, Waratahs players Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Kurtley Beale, Peter Betham and Pat McCutcheon were all part of the Joeys team (St Joseph's College Hunters Hill), which were GPS premiers in 2005 and 2006.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
But Piutau did very very well at FB and can use the extra freedom and space to launch attacks /counter attacks. It is a tough one for Kirwan and I don't know what else he could try. Out of all the backs Noakes is probably the least convincing so 10 makes sense. When he switched a few months ago I thought 9 could suit him too (Weepu can play 10) but I don't think it has been trialed and that it will be. He should start a couple of games at 10 then reassess after that. He might only be a union utility back off the bench after all.
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
Yeah youre right, I didn't put the specific awards, just that they were both Dally M winners in various categories
Otagoz
Guest
If we are going to have pics of Benji Marshall there must be some now in Blues strip! Let's start thinking of and seeing him as a union player! We need some of Kafes white board analysis on here to chart his development.
Adam Julian
Roar Guru
I don't think Marshall has the kicking game to be a top class fullback in rugby but with a little more education and an improvement on defense he will make a good 10. His attacking skills are unquestioned and once he gets a feel for the game he could be very good. Noakes is a journeymen, when he dummies to his right he can often dart through the first line, but other than that he doesn't have the flair or skill of any of the other 10's in the NZ conference and Marshall when he gets through these early stages of his career.
Gazzatron
Guest
I think benji could be the starting 10 by the end of the season. He cant go much worse than noakes. I see him as a cruden type of player without the union education. What I am looking forward to seeing is him develop his game as a 10 at ITM cup level. This year is more of a learning experience but with a solid ITM cup under his belt next year could prove very fruitful for benji and the blues.
Firstxv
Guest
Trouble with moving Piatau is where he fits in the AB's as well. Right at this moment he's ahead of Dagg in the 15 jersey in terms of ability/ impact but is equally powerful at wing and potentially Centre. He Dagg and Savea will be a handful if Hansen goes that way. With Marshall here pundits are going this way and that way with every little thing he does or doesnt do. Last week its 'Benji looks completely lost at 10', and this week after a short cameo at fullback he's gotta be at 15 next game. Its too early to 'cement' his fate and I think a bit of mixing it up is needed, I think ultimately decided by his kicking (or lack of) game.
Thunderguts
Guest
of the 5 comparisons the only one with credibility is Matt Rogers. Having watched Marshall in the 120 minutes of Rugby he has played he does not have the natural Rugby flair which Rogers and more recently Folau have demonstrated right from the get go. The real test for Marshall will be a match of a full 80 minutes. Against the Highlanders it was more a question of the Highlanders taking their foot off the accelerator [they were in uncharted territory with such a dominant half time lead] and not that the Blues/Marshall played great Rugby. The Marshall story is still one of using his presence in the Blues for marketing and crowd pulling and not for his Rugby skills.
Matt
Guest
Marshall should continue his learning from fullback. More space to watch the patterns of the game and the freedom to enter the attack as a second receiver. I was very pleasantly surprised with his confident start and in only 10 minutes you could see exactly why Kirwan was so keen to sign him. He plays the game at pace and is comfortable with the line in his face. This was obvious compared to Noakes, who set up too deep and didn't attact enough inside defenders. With Piutau looking even more powerful in 2014 it must be hugely tempting to move him permanently to Centre and start Marshall at Fullback. Piutau's two weaknesses are his kicking game and his ability to playmake from fullback, this is where Marshall offers massive value to the Blues. Conversely, Piutau's strengths are his defense, power in the tackle and his running lines. Those are skills that wold be perfect outside either Saili or Nonu, or running off a Marshall cut-out pass. Hopefully Kirwan has it in him to admit that playing 10 is a step too far initially, case in point the three preseason matches. BUT, he can immediately improve his side by shuffling the cards. Final question, can Marshall kick goals to any decent level?
The Sheriff
Guest
Benji sure sparked things up when he came on. He has the skills. When he gets to know the game better he will be good. But not good enough to displace any of the current ABs.
Ra
Guest
Phew I've been away from theroar for quite a while. Its a long drive Darwin to Brizzy, but its done now and I'm looking forward to seeing some good high level live footy at last - see ya all at the Gabba - a good compilation Edward
peeeko
Roar Guru
Dont think that Lavea one the Dally M, he one the Dally M rookie. Same goes for MAt Rogers, dont think he ever one the proper Dally M
John
Guest
The blues were utter garbage before Benji came on. I think his first touch of the ball lead to a try? hahaha One of the only good blues players that night! Must start at fullback.