Sharkman84
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Benji Marshall to the Blues?
- Thread starter Sharkman84
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Don't know how the Blues could pay any more than the Rebels because he won't be on an AB contract or anything. Surely he will go to Japan. I don't even think he would make the Blues starting line up anyway.
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Bit of a misleading topic ***le...
Amended!
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Haha cheers Draggs, it's been one of those weeks
Yes, certainly. Only Thursday as well. I think I needed to make amends after the Tom Carter thread.
TRF_melon
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Bah! I'll come out and say it - Benji will never be an All Black, whether it be because of better players ahead of him currently or because he most likely wouldn't make the team until 2015 and he would be too old by that time to build a team around him.
As far as I'm aware the only way a player is able to earn "good" money in Unzud is if you have an All Blacks contract, no?
Therefore he has three realistic options, provided he fields offers from the below mentioned of course.
If he were to make an attempt in NZ, he would certainly need to work on his goal kicking!
As far as I'm aware the only way a player is able to earn "good" money in Unzud is if you have an All Blacks contract, no?
Therefore he has three realistic options, provided he fields offers from the below mentioned of course.
- Top 14 (French team)
- Japanese Rugby
- Super League
If he were to make an attempt in NZ, he would certainly need to work on his goal kicking!
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...not if he wasn't the goal kicker in the team.....
The only way i can see him making the AB's is in the midfield, its the only place he play making can be used without comparing him to dagg, smith, carter, cruden etc
If he did aim for the modfield he could easily go on the end of year tour, when does the NRL finish? in time for him to play NPC?
The only way i can see him making the AB's is in the midfield, its the only place he play making can be used without comparing him to dagg, smith, carter, cruden etc
If he did aim for the modfield he could easily go on the end of year tour, when does the NRL finish? in time for him to play NPC?
Not a bad suggestion actually. Ma'a Nonu is really the only 2nd 5/8th guarenteed a spot in the AB's squad - and then a very long drop in quality till the next option.
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He is pretty tiny for the midfield though isn't he? I get the merits of having a ball player in there but he is hardly known for solid defence.
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Where else could you fit him in? He'd be behind Dagg, Smith and Piutau at fullback, and Carter, Cruden and probably Barrett at first five.
I suppose you gotta fit him where he'll perform the best rather than where he can get the easiest ride into the All Blacks. That said I I think the best 2nd 5/8th in SR this years has been Robert Ebhersohn - who is similar in size and skills.
TRF_melon
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As I'm sure you're aware, an international player cannot merely be selected for above average play making ability. They need to have a multitude of abilities. His skillset may be sufficient for Rugby League however not Rugby Union of an All Black standard.
Benji is not a force in defense, nor is he a player capable of a damaging crash ball here or there, therefore he needs to be good somewhere else...where could that be? Goal Kicking! Buuuuut he's **** at that in general and I'd imagine at this point in his career and considering both his bung shoulder, and stature, goal kicking is his best bet at gaining an international standard attribute.
To recap what I've previously said - it's not going to happen.
It seems everyone over looks the player he currently is and is sucked in by some magical hype which is no where to be seen in Australia, or anywhere else for that matter unless it is based on a furphy. I genuinely want to see him succeed but I can't see how that will happen with NZ at the International level.
Many people may point to Matt Giteau being of small stature thus being relatively incapable of a big hit and a good crash ball (Mortlock's job), however he brought a decent goal kicking boot to the table.
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id rather he didn't play than to get in on goal kicking....we're not exactly short in the area, even Dagg can kick for goal when it is needed
Crash ball at second five might be where the game is at the moment...but it doesn;t mean you cant reinvent or bring back the idea of two play makers.
game plans change, in the nighties inga and lomu reinvented the wing position from speed to strength...then that became the norm...and so guys like roko brought in the Pirouetting light on his feet winger...and now guys like Jane have led the charge with fullback type wings.
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Nonu lead the charge with the fit up second five but before him we had Muager who was more of a second play maker...why not again?
True, he needs to work on his defence though
ps. whats with the pic?
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Crash ball at second five might be where the game is at the moment...but it doesn;t mean you cant reinvent or bring back the idea of two play makers.
game plans change, in the nighties inga and lomu reinvented the wing position from speed to strength...then that became the norm...and so guys like roko brought in the Pirouetting light on his feet winger...and now guys like Jane have led the charge with fullback type wings.
</SPAN></SPAN>
Nonu lead the charge with the fit up second five but before him we had Muager who was more of a second play maker...why not again?
True, he needs to work on his defence though
ps. whats with the pic?
</SPAN></SPAN>
quinnyboy69
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They blues need the best they can get and benji is a top class league player and could start are career with the blues and maybe even move forward towards the black jersey
Amobokoboko
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Benji is a quality player, lately he starts getting back to his old level again. The downside is that he reminds e of Kahui a lot, injury prone. So if I was Kirwan I would look to invest in younger players.
austingtir
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^^ Agreed if Kirwan goes ahead with this it smacks to me of grasping at straws surely they can find a youngish player. Benji has played his best footy for the tigers.
The only thing that i can see that makes sense about it is they want that carlos spencer type player and they are hard to come by.
The only thing that i can see that makes sense about it is they want that carlos spencer type player and they are hard to come by.
seems like the deal is being done, for 2 years.
good times, he is a quality player and importantly a smart player. He will adjust well. And he will bring people to eden park as i said.
I can't see him making the all blacks but the Olympics is not out of the question.
also wonder if this will mean that Barretts best option is to stay with the canes. Benji does seem more suited to 10 it would seem?
good times, he is a quality player and importantly a smart player. He will adjust well. And he will bring people to eden park as i said.
I can't see him making the all blacks but the Olympics is not out of the question.
also wonder if this will mean that Barretts best option is to stay with the canes. Benji does seem more suited to 10 it would seem?
