St George Illawarra are set to rush new signing Benji Marshall into their side for Saturday’s round 10 NRL fixture against Parramatta in a bid to arrest their alarming mid-season slide.
The Dragons’ 38-6 loss to Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Sunday was their fifth in their last six matches, after starting the season with three successive wins to lead the NRL premiership.
The joint venture were outplayed by the Bulldogs across the park and coach Steve Price said he was likely to swing the axe ahead of the clash with the Eels.
Code jumper Marshall signed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Dragons worth around $1.1 million on Friday.
The former Wests Tigers superstar cut his ties with Super Rugby’s Auckland Blues on Easter Monday after failing to make a successful transition to the 15-a-side code.
Price told Triple M before the match with the Bulldogs that he was impressed with Marshall’s attitude and that he was fit to return to rugby league.
In the post-game press conference Price said he was ready to make changes to his struggling side ahead of the match with the Eels at Pirtek Stadium.
“Our reserve grade team is up near the top of the table so I will look at that tape again tonight and make some calls,” Price said.
Asked about Marshall specifically Price said: “I’ll worry about that on Tuesday.”
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
I'm curious as to why everyone is thinking Marshall will play Halfback. Wouldn't it be smarter, given how much Widdop controls the Dragons in the halves, to move Gareth to Half, and have Benji play in his preferred 5/8 spot? This would eliminate his weaknesses, have him involved more in 2nd phase play, rather than controlling the ruck, and leave Widdop to his strengths. That might actually lift the Dragons off the bottom of the ladder, and give them something they haven't have in years, given how they stifled Sowards game... flair and creativity.