Benji Marshall’s closest ally in rugby league says the former Golden Boot winner never truly wanted to play rugby union in the first place.
Marshall is on the hunt for an NRL club after being granted a release from his Super Rugby contract with the Blues on Wednesday after just two months in the 15-man code.
Although he won’t be reuniting with him, Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah believes his 2005 premiership-winning teammate has made the right call.
“I truly don’t think that he wanted to go to rugby in the first place,” Farah said on NRL 360 on Fox Sports.
“But the way things worked out for him last year at the Tigers, whether he got some bad advice or not, I’m not too sure.
“But I think he was kind of backed into a corner and felt like he had no other option.
“There’s no doubt, in my opinion, that Benji wanted to play out his career with the Tigers, but things didn’t work out that way.
“He’s got a second chance now, albeit with another club unfortunately, but hopefully – that old saying, you don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone – I think he appreciates rugby league more now and hopefully he can make the most of his second coming.”
Already with several ex-Tigers players on their books including Marshall’s close friend Beau Ryan, plus Blake Ayshford, John Morris, Bryce Gibbs, Chris Heighington and Andrew Fifita, Cronulla are favoured to pick up Marshall.
Marshall on Wednesday denied a deal had been struck with the Sharks, but Farah said no matter where he ended up, the former New Zealand Test captain belonged back in rugby league after swallowing his pride and admitting he was a rugby flop.
“And that would have hurt him too,” Farah said.
“I know Benji probably better than anyone knows Benji and they don’t come much prouder than him and for him to come out and admit that it just wasn’t working for him in rugby is a massive call and a massive thing for him to do.
“There’s no doubt, I think, he’s a rugby league player through and through. His heart is still in rugby league and having him back in our game, albeit not with the Tigers – it’s going to be weird seeing him play for another club – but he belongs in our game.”
Scrubbit
Guest
Yeah he played under NZ under 16s. He was also on contract by tigers with a full scholarship to Keebra Park (a premier rugby league school) from the age of 15 so I don't see your point.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
No childish antics LOL yet Greg Martin happened to be quoted as saying as much. I remember when there was talk of Quade Cooper possibly going to rl,comments like with his offfield dramas that code would suit him. Give it a break Sportfreak,it happens both ways.One only has to read regular comments from the likes of Fitzsimons and Carlton(Mike) at times to rienforce my obvservations. Benji admitted he wasn't good at union,good on his honesty.
Pete
Guest
"In the world" not "in the works"
Pete
Guest
I don't think NZ under 16s is 'some union at school'. Why would union fans want him to fail? He just needed more time - it SBW 3 years to be good at rugby and he was younger and playing an easier position. There is a lot of depth in NZ rugby - 5 Super teams that are really good (like SOO standard). There are great players who aren't getting game time. Even Ardie Savea (one of the best young players in the works) can't get a start for the a hurricanes. Anyway, BM gave it crack (although should have tried until the end of 2014 ITM Cup), and all the best to him in his future.
Chopper
Guest
You can't say that Benji was "poached" from Union - he might have played some Union at school which is about as significant as playing handball in the quadrangle at recess. He simply liked League more than Union and therefore built a career in League. His short stint in Union wasn't money driven either - he wanted a challenge so he decided to switch codes. But I suspect that alot of Union fans wanted him to fail.
Chopper
Guest
He probably wasn't cut-out for Union and his skills are more suited to League, but he was prepared to work hard and learn the game. The Union regime wanted him to fail. They keep raving on and on about how their game is so much more technical and requires so much more intelligence and strategic thinking, blah, blah, blah. Benji was a sacrificial (New Zealand) lamb.
xavialonso
Guest
Im glad Benjis coming back. League has been poorer without him.
harry Wells
Guest
Was this emotional Benji speaking which is the same one where he would not play against the Tigers or rational Benji trying to make the Comm Games or World Cup - odds are he will play against the Tigers
Sportfreak
Guest
Harry - Benji grew up playing rugby and was poached by league when he moved to Australia. Its funny how quick everyone is to welcome him back to league after the gutless and disgraceful treatment he received from the league media and fans. Now he's coming back you get blokes like Farah saying that he never wanted to go back to rugby in the first place and the guy went over due to a scrupulous manager and a momentary brain snap. Very short memories exist in league it would appear. I think BM has been great - he had a crack, it didnt work out and he admitted he wasnt good enough. Everyone in rugby wishes him the best and you'll notice that there are no childish antics and back stabbing coming from the rah rahs. I wish you well Benji. I guess Harry you better tell JWH to come back and all the others who have been pinched as well.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
How so?
Pete
Guest
@Harry If players stayed in their own games, Benji never would've come across to the 13-man game all those years ago. He started in union as teenager and tried to come back. I think the bloke should've come back 4-5 years ago and then he might've made it in super rugby, but you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks.
HARRY HOPWORTHY
Guest
I can't understand why Benji wanted to go to Rugby Union in the first place. He's a Rugby League player, body and soul, and I'm glad that he's returning to our game after his brief flirtation with Rugby Union. Let this be a lesson to other Rugby League players. Stay in your own game.
Paqu
Guest
He was never given enough game time. The New Zealand Rugby U
Steveh
Guest
Thinks he is bigger than the game! A big mouth like Anthony Mundine!!
Steveh
Guest
Thinks he is bigger than the game! A big mouth like Anthony Mundine!!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Quoting Greg Martin LOL,is risky at the best of times.Especially with some of his past beauties.
Will
Guest
like Folau has
Red Block
Guest
Yes he belongs in rugby league because he was a complete dud in rugby. He wasn't prepared to do the hard work needed and was arrogant enough to believe he would breeze through. As Greg Martin said, "fat and unfit with dodgy knees and shoulders."
John
Guest
My thoughts exactly. Totally agree.
Will
Guest
If he turns up at the sharks he will get fat and injured again hanging out with his old mates. If he goes to the Storm or Cowboys he will be back to the impact player he once was without the distraction of his mates