Benji in union's sights, according to Sheens

[Guest]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/wests-tigers-coach-tim-sheens-worried-benji-marshall-could-be-lost-to-rugby-after-current-contract/story-e6frf3ou-1226167679478

Makes it a bit easier if you just post the article rather than the link each time :brick:
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Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens worried Benji Marshall could be lost to rugby after current contract

By James Hooper
The Sunday Telegraph
October 16, 2011 9:53AM
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Tim Sheens says the similarities are scary.

Kiwi rugby league captain Benji Marshall and Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper - entirely unpredictable, both capable of turning a game in a split second and both the key to their respective country's hopes of victory on Sunday.

Kangaroos coach Sheens reckons Marshall is guaranteed to become a target for rugby union at the end of his current Wests Tigers contract.

And he points to the success of Cooper in the 15-a-side code as part of his reasoning.

Imagine the All Blacks with Marshall as their starting five-eighth? It would surely have New Zealand breathing a lot easier today in the absence of injured superstar Dan Carter.

"I've got no doubt when Benji's current contract is nearing the end, rugby will come back and try to have another shot at him," Sheens said.

"You look at the Wallabies. Who's the one player when the game is on the line and they need to win that they turn to and he can create something out of nothing when really there shouldn't be much to create? Cooper.

"Those types of players, you only see them every so often.

"What they can do with the football is a very rare thing when it comes to close games that are on the line and you need to produce the big play."

Sheens pointed to another league star involved in Sunday's Four Nations warm-up Test in Newcastle, Warriors captain Simon Mannering, as evidence rugby union would still occasionally attempt to poach league talent.

Mannering was a schoolboy union star before New Zealand signed him to play league.

In the leadup to the NRL grand final it was revealed that four Super 15 clubs had expressed an interest in bringing him back to rugby union.

"They're not as big a threat as they were a couple of years ago, but if it's the right type of player then I'm sure they'd have no hesitation in chasing them," Sheens said.

"The Warriors captain is an example of that.

"I'm sure if it suits them at the time, they'll have another go at Benji."

Marshall is contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of 2013.

 

[Kul]

2013?

wasn't it 14 or 15?

 

[AJ1]

Marshall is contracted to the Wests Tigers until the end of **2013**.

Marshall is off contract at the end of 2015\. James Hooper's journalism seems to get worse with each article

 

[underdog]

uh…..isn't marshall contracted until 2015?

 

[underdog]

Lol great minds all think alike! :smiley:

 

[Tiger_Watto]

I wouldnt blame Benji taking the big bucks in Union and the opportunity to play in a Rugby World Cup. Its a big draw card and a players life is really limited to 12-15 years in Elite Sports.

If Benji chose to do this at the end of his current contract, I'd be happy for him.

 

[hammertime]

yeah, I thought it was 2015 too?..

 

[GNR4LIFE]

We've got another 4 seasons to go before we worry about that. By that time Benji will be 30 and by then another young superstar might come along that Union see more longevity in. To me, this article comes across as fear mongering, at how the game could lose another superstar. Its to bad he got the info on his current contract wrong though. Honestly, who is thinking whats gonna happen at the end of 2015? alot can happen between now and then

 

[1_4_chicken_chips]

OMG another ordinary article.Seems these journos are BORED.

 

[tigersrule4life]

http://www.weststigers.com.au/default.aspx?s=blog-display&id=22920&page=2
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NRL superstar Benji Marshall has today devoted himself to being a ‘Tiger for Life’ after committing to his beloved Wests Tigers for the next six years.

On the day of his 25th birthday, Marshall has put pen to paper to a new long term deal that will keep him at Wests Tigers until the end of the 2015 season.
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“Securing his services for the next six years is a critical piece of our strategic plan. Benji provides enormous value to Wests Tigers both on and off the field and we are absolutely delighted that he will now become a ‘Tiger for Life’.”

Marshall said he was proud to become a one-club man.

“This club has looked after me from the very beginning when I was a young schoolboy at Keebra Park High and have been very loyal to me through the good times and the hardships.

“The Wests Tigers are like family to me. Tim Sheens has played an enormous part in my development not only as a rugby league player but as a person as well.

“There is a very strong culture here and I know we are on the verge of something very big. To be a part of the Wests Tigers for the next six years and to have my future secured is a great feeling.

“My best is still ahead of me and I want to be a strong leader and help develop the outstanding talent coming through at Wests Tigers.”

Wests Tigers Coach Tim Sheens said Benji’s decision was great news for the club.

“Benji is one of our leading players who you can build a good future around,’’ Sheens said.

 

[tigersrule4life]

And yes his a tiger for life :smiley:😀

 

[king_sirro]

I wouldnt blame Benji taking the big bucks in Union and the opportunity to play in a Rugby World Cup. Its a big draw card and a players life is really limited to 12-15 years in Elite Sports.

If Benji chose to do this at the end of his current contract, I'd be happy for him.

Watching the semi final now….....this is their big draw card?????? :unamused:

Id rather watch a state cup match than this crap.

 

[innsaneink]

For a game with a penalty for just about anything, Im amazed youre allowed to take a tap penalty (88 min) with one of your players in front of you offside. Pockocks a dirty cat

Did $BW get a run?

 

[eyewonder]

yes, a very skillful,methodical game but boring as ditchwater.

Must be a great game to play cause it ain't to watch.

 

[tominator]

Yeah SBW was on for about 3mins then got a Yellow Card for shoulder charging Cooper. Shows he still wants to play a real sport.

 

[jirskyr]

Yeah SBW was on for about 3mins then got a Yellow Card for shoulder charging Cooper. Shows he still wants to play a real sport.

That was the best part of the whole game! $BW runs on, gives out a few bro handshakes, checks his hairdo a few times. Gets involved a minute later, lines up a sc and gets binned. Mouthguard into socks, rechecks hairdo and exit stage left, thanks for coming Sonny.

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Yeah SBW was on for about 3mins then got a Yellow Card for shoulder charging Cooper. Shows he still wants to play a real sport.

That was the best part of the whole game! $BW runs on, gives out a few bro handshakes, checks his hairdo a few times. Gets involved a minute later, lines up a sc and gets binned. Mouthguard into socks, rechecks hairdo and exit stage left, thanks for coming Sonny.

lol… He gets around $900k to do that. Not a bad career move?!

 

[Yossarian]

Yeah SBW was on for about 3mins then got a Yellow Card for shoulder charging Cooper. Shows he still wants to play a real sport.

That was the best part of the whole game! $BW runs on, gives out a few bro handshakes, checks his hairdo a few times. Gets involved a minute later, lines up a sc and gets binned. Mouthguard into socks, rechecks hairdo and exit stage left, thanks for coming Sonny.

lol… He gets around $900k to do that. Not a bad career move?!

Yep hard to blame him. Only topped by Folau getting $1 million to kick 5 goals against someone from Tax Department who moonlights on the Belconnen defensive line on weekends. He must start giggling every time he looks at his bank account.

Oops back on topic - the story is a nominee for non-story of the year. A typical DT effort in trying to turn a casual remark into something bigger. Put this one in the bird cage and move on…

 

[Mrs_T]

Yeah SBW was on for about 3mins then got a Yellow Card for shoulder charging Cooper. Shows he still wants to play a real sport.

That was the best part of the whole game! $BW runs on, gives out a few bro handshakes, checks his hairdo a few times. Gets involved a minute later, lines up a sc and gets binned. Mouthguard into socks, rechecks hairdo and exit stage left, thanks for coming Sonny.

:laughing: Good one, thanks for the laugh!

 

[Moh]

No way.

Cooper is not a rugby player, just like Benji wouldn't be. Both made to play league.

Honestly, the thought of Benji playing union is laughable. You'd have to be pretty silly to offer Benji a massive amount of $$$ to play union.