With the retirement of Benji Marshall it raised the questions usually reserved for greats of the game. Was he a future Immortal or in a class below that – and what is his legacy?
Generally if you are in this conversation you have had a pretty good career and Benji Quentin Marshall had exactly that.
While an Immortal may be a step too far, it is undeniable he will be in the NRL Hall of Fame, and also would be considered the greatest player from New Zealand.
His achievements and accolades would have pretty much every previous New Zealand-born player covered. Firstly, his 19 seasons is on par with Cameron Smith, obviously due to injuries and some challenging times in the early 2010s he didn’t have the 24+ game seasons that Smith consistently had.
However, even into his 19th season he was still performing, and much like Smith was rumoured to have a contract for the following season with the Titans if he wanted it!
Games played aside, Marshall having won a premiership and a World Cup puts him in rarefied air as far as Kiwis go.
The only other players from that team to do the double are – Jeremy Smith, Nathan Fine, Sika Manu and Adam Blair (Blair’s was part of the Storm 2009 team that was later stripped of the title).
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
On top of this Marshall won a Golden Boot in 2010, one of five Kiwis to win this since 1984, in part for his season for the Tigers but also leading the Kiwis to the Four Nations trophy, beating Australia once again in a final in Brisbane.
The accolades as you would expect for someone who has been around so long are endless. With Marshall, regardless of the accolades though it’s the legacy he has left.
Effectively a pioneer in the early 2000s, Marshall’s pathway to the NRL came via Keebra High on the Gold Coast.
He showed what could be achieved as since then many other players have followed the pathway to NRL stardom.
Another part of the legacy is the prevalence of players with a touch background such as Ryan Papenhuyzen and Shaun Johnson, who through Marshall could see that smaller players with the touch footy skillset could success in the toughest game of all.
Two more points about Marshall and his legacy. He is now synonymous with the Kiwis No.6 jersey.
Pre-Marshall, the Kiwis never really had an established five-eighth with players such as Vinne Anderson, Sione Faumuina and often Nigel Vagana and Willie Talau filling in out of position.
Since Marshall players such as Te Maire Martin, Kodi Nikorima and Kieran Foran have all graced the No.6 jersey and players such as Dylan Brown and Chanel Harris-Tevita will look to carry on the now rich legacy of Kiwi five-eighths.
The final point on Marshall is his character. It’s a measure of the man that he never threw in the towel when he struggled to gain a starting role, he dug in and worked his way back to grade, instead of bolting to Super League or overseas rugby.
Sure he tried Super Rugby with the Blues but that was hardly running from his failure. Going to a team that was struggling was hardly an ideal system to try and learn a new football code. What was testament to his character was going back to the NRL and proving that he did belong.
Marshall’s legacy was further enhanced playing for the Dragons and being one of their better players and then going to the Broncos and happily playing wherever needed for the betterment of the team.
A final footnote at the Tigers should have been a fine way to end a career but as we know his career had one final twist going to Souths.
With the end of his career now confirmed a final footnote was the rumour that the Titans were keen to sign him for 2022. Surely a fine way to retire for a legend, knowing he retired on his terms.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
We will never know because their best are playing union.
Billy Goat
Guest
SBW, Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones for me.
Ponies
Guest
I can only presume the writer of this article is young(ish). A good article non the less. Not every Kiwi Rugby League player came over to Australia to play. Check out the Kiwi's from before the 80's who played in NZ. I'm not saying Benji's not the best as he just might be but there were a lot of good Kiwis through the decades who stayed at home and played their RL there. If he is the best Kiwi to have played in the NSWRL or the NRL then surely he must be in contention to be a future immortal, or are only Australian players that good?
Max
Guest
Dally Messenger played for NZ in 1907-08. Many many games for NZ by Dally. The tour had 50 matches.
MX
Roar Rookie
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is probably the best out of NZ. Had the crazy side-step too. Even American YouTubers talk about him.
Michael
Guest
Hell no!!!!!!! hes definitely not the best ever Sonny Bill Williams and Stacy Jones for mine doesn't even come close sorry
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
hell of a player he was, 100 times better than most one one leg!
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Nathan Cayless ahead of a couple of them. 39 tests, World Cup winning captain, 270+ NRL games, captain his team in 2 GF appearances
matth
Roar Guru
Nigel Vagana?
matth
Roar Guru
That’s a pretty good set of 6. Looking outside that list I have a soft spot for massive wingers with questionable handling skills: “The Beast” Manu Vatuvei and “The Volcano” Lesley Vanikolo. But I think the player you may have unfairly missed is Nigel Vagana. 38 tests, Two time Dally M Centre of the year and the first non Australian to score 100 tries in the NRL. He also played five eighth in the 2005 Tri Nations won by the Kiwis. Also honourable mentions to Hugh McGahan and I guess SBW.
Sam
Guest
Tawera Nikau? Played over 400 games across his Super League, NRL, and representative career
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Olsen, the man with Harbour Bridge Pylons for thighs.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
It's doubtful he would have represented Australia, that's how good he was
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Benji was one of the best when he was younger and presented a big running threat, as he got older he hasn't transformed his game the same way a Lockyer did. If he played rugby when he was younger it would have been different. Best Kiwi the only competition he really has is Mark Graham, Benji at his peak was more valuable. Olsen Filippaina was in reserve grade, I think he could have thrived in another era but when you have no interchange being such a big guy it was tough . He certainly did Wally Lewis over.
JGK
Roar Guru
JWH is top 5 I reckon. Certainly ahead of 7 to 10 on your list.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
You can find that Mark Graham was voted best NZ player of the century 1907-2006 not sure by who, but willing to bow. Which leaves the 21st century at Benji's mercy.. just got to get thru the next 80 years legend free.
Panana split
Roar Rookie
What a joke of a comment. If he represented Australia the Aussie pundits would have run out of superlatives for Benji. Wasnt the most consistent but at his peak, he was the best player the world has ever seen. Compare his highlight reel to any great or "immortal" and there is daylight between Benji and the rest.
Yawn
Guest
Well he certainly thinks he is.
Paul
Roar Guru
I find it tough to compare players from different positions and different eras, then say one or another is the very best from that country - unless they're a Bradman - miles in front of everyone else. I've never met Benji Marshall but I get the impression he'd be delighted to be held in such high esteem and not fussed if someone else was given this accolade. The other nice thing is, he's a great role model for other young aspiring New Zealand League players.
Nat
Roar Guru
Really well written. My immediate thought was No but put in context of the achievements of fellow Kiwis it's a pretty good arguement. If he was given the honour, I wouldn't disagree.