Benji Marshall Blues to cut their losses

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Oxygen

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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/nz-view-blues-must-cut-their-losses-with-benji-marshall-in-what-is-a-failed-crosscode-experiment/story-fni2fxyf-1226872487594

Looks like it's all over for Benji if the blues cut him loose what will become of him?

Feel sorry for him but I'm glad his not at the tigers anymore.
 
Rubbish, there is no way them losing is his fault, he plays 10 minutes a game if he is lucky. Benji is a fighter and wont give up.
 
More bull shit journalism. Benji is still a rookie in Union, give him some more time.
There's no way the Blues would be cutting him this early.
 
@Sabre said:
More bullshit journalism. Benji is still a rookie in Union, give him some more time.
There's no way the Blues would be cutting him this early.
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Its just pointing out some home truths.

Benji's defence is ordinary at best.
He doesn't know how to play direct, it's always crabbing across the field. In the short rucks of union that's just suicide.
He has no kicking game.

As stated Benji is never going to put bums on seats over there.

I was amazed when he went to union. To me it was a dummy spit. I don't blame Benji, I blame Tauber for the poor decision making.

Having said all that I still have fond memories of Benji. On song he was a genius.

_Posted using RoarFEED 2013_
 
What's the odds of Benji coming back here for one last season on a cut down wage, ala Gasnier a couple years back? Ah Jap rugby might be more likely.
 
Wow I was a critic but now I'm actually feeling sorry for him.I would for starters be sacking my manager for some woeful decisions and keep away from Bali as my thinking grounds.
 
@Tigersman said:
@Milky said:
Rubbish, there is no way them losing is his fault, he plays 10 minutes a game if he is lucky. Benji is a fighter and wont give up.

110% they sucked before he came along.
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they're 3/3….it's not about results...it about his performances
 
The problem is that it appears they haven't decided what position he will be best suited to

He came from another code and they have changed their minds three times now whether he will a 10 or a 15

That can't be helping Benji settle into the game imo

But the article points out some deficiencies Benji has that was prevalent at the Tigers

Not playing direct , kicking game not up to Union's standards

Again I'm not trying to kick Benji while he is down , but the move to Union was always going to be a struggle and he is struggling

I wonder how much of Benji's problems are Benji just wanting to play the game the way Benji wants to , not the way the coach does ??
 
How can you expect a League player to transition to professional Rugby that quickly. He trains all off season at 10 then a few games in he is put into the 15 jersey and has to learn a new position. Even the "Great" SBW took two seasons in a French Rugby competition before he got a hang off the game. Marshall is playing in a harder competition is in the media's eye where any mistake he makes is going to be swooped on and exploited by the vultures of journos circling him.
 
The only thing I can think of is? we struck GOLD when he asked for a release from us, there is no way we would be able to resign Teddy, Nofo, also extending Sirro's contract if Benji took up the contract we put to him last year, we would of lost a real star out of it, now good chance we will keep them all.
I really feel for Benji though I must admit, wish him well
 
Two major problems for Benji … Union these days is a VERY structured game. Benji has never been one to fit into a mold which is why it was impossible for any coach to structure play around him. Secondly, a good union number 10 has always had a superior kicking game. It is absolutely essential. Well, we all know what Benji's kicking is like. As for him making it as a 15 - as far as I know he's never played there before. Positioning himself correctly will be problematical and of course, his defence is ... well .... let's just say, indifferent. However, given time, he might be O.K. as a 12 or 13, but time is not on his side. I think his best option really is a couple of years in the ESL. He'd kill it over there.
 
What will happen to wifey's TV career if they move to Japan? Can she speak Japanese?

He will be back in the NRL in 2016.
 
Took a long while for Sheens to admit Benji is(or rather WAS)a ball runner & not a playmaker.!
Benji rolled the dice on Rugby(& we dodged a huge bullet)as a springboard hoping to pick up $1mill plus in France or worst case Japan,& was inevitable from the start this backfired .
He's now a liability to the Blues, therefore worthless in Rugby anywhere.
His promo value to the Blues has deterirated to zero (the supporters know hes a liability)& hes now a distraction on the bench to a team doing quite ok without him,but feeling some obligation to give him game time
His sole option now is probably ESL as I doubt any NRL club watching the past 3 years wld be interested-his real worth is <$300k,& one morning soon he'll wake up & realise that.
An experiment gone wrong,fuelled by hubris & a really dud manager
We are so much more structred without him,& the 19yo kid adds so much more as playmaker.
I just hope sentiment /loyalty doesnt prevail & that we dont offer him a lifeline
 
Very sad to see a player of the calibre of Benji end up like this. I really hope he can find his niche somewhere in football and in life.
 
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