Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

Looks like a unit. Had a quick look around and seems he was the starting backrower for the Beaudesert Under 18s side that won the Gold Coast league this year and played off the bench for his school side Mabel Park based out of Slacks Creek. Can't see too much to make him stand out but must have good tape at least to have gotten a contract. Not sure if he's an 11th grader or 12th grader but if he's 12th grade and not making the starting side for a non elite public school team then that gives me a little pause.

Never know what might happen with good coaching I guess. Good luck to the lad.
 
Rock Hopper Steve said:
All good ones Tuck but so was Benji I'm not a believer of ranking one's better than the other they all had different qualities and it becomes a matter of individual opinion.
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Yes that’s true.
I’d just also add when Benji left Tigers he played halfback for 3 years at Dragons indicating Widdop was a better 6, was primarily off the bench for the Broncos, and the same at the Bunnies.
I might also pose the question…had he been Australian, would he have ever played Origin? For either side?
 
Tucker said:
Yes that’s true.
I’d just also add when Benji left Tigers he played halfback for 3 years at Dragons indicating Widdop was a better 6, was primarily off the bench for the Broncos, and the same at the Bunnies.
I might also pose the question…had he been Australian, would he have ever played Origin? For either side?
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without a shadow of a doubt. even QLD would’ve found a spot for him at 14 or in the centres. NSW had some diabolical halves there during Benji’s prime too. he would’ve been a mainstay of that side.
 
I like a lot of different takes on players on here. Everyone has valid opinions & in many ways, I think all of them are right.

Trying to compare players from different eras, with different styles etc is incredibly hard. That's not even taking into calculation things like support cast, rule changes...

Where does Benji fit? I think he's one the greatest players the NRL has seen. For mine, he's a cross between Daley & Cliff Lyons with his footwork & ability to run, mixed in with his clever ball playing - he was a magician.

Who is he better than? Don't know. I used to not think Daley was anything great. But time has shown me he was the most elite runner in the halves we've likely ever seen. Does that make him better or worse than Lewis? Lockyer? Who knows.

For the record- Benji would have played SOO. Not sure how often, how successful or even in what position. But Benji changed games & he changed how teams played against him.

He's in my top 3 favourite Tigers of all time. Pearce, Hanley, Marshall. Not necessarily in that order. So maybe I'm biased.

And I don't care if I am.
 
Tucker said:
Yes that’s true.
I’d just also add when Benji left Tigers he played halfback for 3 years at Dragons indicating Widdop was a better 6, was primarily off the bench for the Broncos, and the same at the Bunnies.
I might also pose the question…had he been Australian, would he have ever played Origin? For either side?
Click to expand...
Widdop played 7 to Barrett. Is Benji worse than Barrett?

But then, Barrett played 7 to Mundine. So is Benji behind Mundine?
 
Tucker said:
Yes that’s true.
I’d just also add when Benji left Tigers he played halfback for 3 years at Dragons indicating Widdop was a better 6, was primarily off the bench for the Broncos, and the same at the Bunnies.
I might also pose the question…had he been Australian, would he have ever played Origin? For either side?
Click to expand...
That gets back to who the coaching staff was at the time and whether they thought his style of play suited the dynamics of the side also how good his form was at the time.

Planets have to align for any player to make origins sides, even good ones get overlooked if the coach prefers someone else.
 
In 2008 the kiwis beat the kangaroos 34-20 in the World Cup Final .

The kangaroos spine that day was arguably one of the best
Slater
Lockyer
Thurston
Smith

Plus a couple of nuffys in the centres called Inglis & Folau

The Kiwis spine was
Hohaia
Benji
Fien
Leuluai

Benji scored a try & kicked a couple of goals in that game .

In 2010 Benji captained the Kiwis to a win in the 4 nations cup final against the kangaroos & also won the Golden Boot for worlds best player in the same year .

It’s fair to say Benji more than competed with the best at the time .
 
Tucker said:
Lewis, Kenny, Lyons, Daley, Fittler, Lockyer, Thurston, Munster
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All great players from your era. My era stretches back a little further with blokes like Summons, Lisle etc. I couldn't pick one. On their days they were all brilliant. But I agree re Benji. Love how he played at his best but he’s not in the same category as the blokes you mention.
 
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