Benji. Test

[Tigerspirit]

I think Benji's going through a slump mentally. Looks lost…. Trying to play conservative but it aint his style the more he try's the more errors and less magic we see. To me thats why in any team Benji needs a dominant 7.
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

I actually thought he had a reasonable game (with the exception of the kick out on the full). His game is evolving as he gets older and to some extent, he is trying to choose the right time to run. I think his passing game is as good as any in the competition, the problem last night was that many in the NZ team did not know where to be - short preparation would be the cause. Back to his running, the best example of his selection of when to run was the tri-nations final last year in Brisbane (or was it the year before). He ran the ball only three times and it led to three tries. He picked his moments beautifully - at the end of both halves.

He essentially played as halfback last night and guided the team around the park. I assume this was to take pressure of Johnson. Johnson and Marshall will be a great halves pairing for NZ, but we won't see it in one off tests. They will fire in the tri-nations.

In addition, I thought Blair was better last night. He was used differently by NZ to how he is used by Wests. NZ always had runners around him allowing Blair to hold the ball in both hands and create doubt in the defensive line. Wests need to have more support players around him and not use him one out.

 

[Mighty_Tigers]

If Benji ran as many meters forward as he did side ways he would be brilliant.Needs to take the line on rather than try to run around it or find runners coming off him more often.He has become predictable at times.

 

[shane2801]

Benji is the most overrated player in the NRL and has been for years. Nobody even comes close. It's not his fault. He isn't nearly the player everyone claims he is.

 

[Guest]

Benji is the most overrated player in the NRL and has been for years. Nobody even comes close. It's not his fault. He isn't nearly the player everyone claims he is.

Most overrated :crazy

That'll do me :roll

 

[tigerdre]

As long as he didn't get injured & as long as he plays his best footy with us I couldn't give a rats how he plays for the kiwis
In fact I hope he plays crap every time he plays in the black & white cause when he does play crap that almost always mean the Aussies win
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[cunno]

I actually thought he had a reasonable game (with the exception of the kick out on the full). His game is evolving as he gets older and to some extent, he is trying to choose the right time to run. I think his passing game is as good as any in the competition, the problem last night was that many in the NZ team did not know where to be - short preparation would be the cause. Back to his running, the best example of his selection of when to run was the tri-nations final last year in Brisbane (or was it the year before). He ran the ball only three times and it led to three tries. He picked his moments beautifully - at the end of both halves.

He essentially played as halfback last night and guided the team around the park. I assume this was to take pressure of Johnson. Johnson and Marshall will be a great halves pairing for NZ, but we won't see it in one off tests. They will fire in the tri-nations.

In addition, I thought Blair was better last night. He was used differently by NZ to how he is used by Wests. NZ always had runners around him allowing Blair to hold the ball in both hands and create doubt in the defensive line. Wests need to have more support players around him and not use him one out.

Agree with your points GB about Benji and Blair and I think the key point is the importance of the players around them to allow them to play at their best which is a lot easier to do with rep side selections. After all, it's a team game and it can be a bit like a jigzaw puzzle combining players who compliment each others' abilities.

 

[magpiecol]

Time for Mr. Marshall to make a move to the fullback position.

Most teams have him figured out now and he needs more room to move. Fullback will allow this.

 

[InBenjiWeTrust]

NZ always had runners around him allowing Blair to hold the ball in both hands and create doubt in the defensive line. Wests need to have more support players around him and not use him one out.

I agree, too many times we see either:
- one up
- dummy running
- going out wide too early

IMHO players developed this attitude 'leave it to Benji' and 'Benji will provide'.

I would like to see:
- more support runners in every play
- more offloads
- concentrated attack by forwards, with exchange of quick short passes
- quick play the ball

Go Tigers

:sign:

 

[zantapop]

For all his moments of brilliance through the years .His development in key areas for a half just hasnt happened. Man his kicking game is just so poor and the sideways stuff is frustrating to watch.

 

[Flippedy]

Time for Mr. Marshall to make a move to the fullback position.

Most teams have him figured out now and he needs more room to move. Fullback will allow this.

You know I used to think this was a ridiculous idea, Col, but I'm starting to warm to it. He still has good speed and great vision and now his defence has stiffened up from the early days, I think he would make an exceptional fullback. In fact, I've noticed he cleans up a lot like a fullback in quite a few games - did you see him field that kick on the run in front of the goal posts last night? Great stuff!

On his overall performance last night, once again, it was just average (for him). He always talks it up big before these International games, but rarely delivers much on the field. I don't think I have ever seen him dominate the play in a test match like he does with WT. It's a shame because that game was there for the taking for NZ, but Benji didn't even seem interested in trying to get something happening until the last 3 minutes when it was all over, as someone mentioned earlier.

Luke and Johnson were the ones controlling the game for NZ, Benji's involvement was minimal, to say the least. Heck, even the wingers, Nightingale and Vatuvei, were more prominent throughout the match! I know a lot of it comes down to having to get used to different combinations, in a short period of time, and he and Johnson had never even played together before, but c'mon Benji, you're the bloody Captain - call for the ball and try and impose yourself on the game a bit more, like we all know you can!

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Gus was saying that it was Johnson's responsibility to bring Marshall into the game, i couldn't work that out. As you said Flip, he's the Captain, he should have demanded the ball instead of waiting for Johnson to bring him into it

 

[happy_tiger]

Thats a tricky one without knowing how the Kiwis set up is

If Benji is saying to Johnson "This is where I want to be by the end of the set , and this is where I want the ball ' well its Johnson's responsibility to get the forwards into the field position that Benji wants to be at the end of the set

Usually however when the senior playmaker sees something is on he will make the call or tell Johnson "2 plays til set move" is on

If something has unfolded on the spot you usually have a call (mine was usually Boss) when I saw something and I wanted the ball NOW

So to answer the question you can't blame the 6 without the 7 and vice versa

 

[smoking_gun]

Benji has pretty much led the try assists and line break assists for the past 2 seasons. I'm pretty sure half the people on here are close to being fully retarded.. Fullback?? Lol

 

[happy_tiger]

Benji has pretty much led the try assists and line break assists for the past 2 seasons. I'm pretty sure half the people on here are close to being fully retarded.. Fullback?? Lol

Smoking Gun that pretty harsh on Flip he's not retarded

But he does have a few seniors moments though …..... 😱pen_mouth: :laughing:

 

[hellman]

Benji has pretty much led the try assists and line break assists for the past 2 seasons. I'm pretty sure half the people on here are close to being fully retarded.. Fullback?? Lol

I think fullback would be a huge mistake. He would have to relearn a new position as well.

I don't think his kicking is really that bad either. I think that he needs to run the ball more often and play straighter. He also needs to cut the poor plays out of his game - the passes to someone's feet are pretty much unacceptable.

 

[epictiger]

Benji has pretty much led the try assists and line break assists for the past 2 seasons. I'm pretty sure half the people on here are close to being fully retarded.. Fullback?? Lol

Couldn't agree more! You must have rocks in your head bagging him the way you all are. He hardly got any ball last night and even though he's the captain don't mean the half back shouldn't have some responsibility getting it to him. As mentioned by someone else earlier you can put that down to lack of preparation as a halves combo. We all love benji for the way he plays and if that means some dumb plays are part of the package then I'm ok with that. He's not perfect you know! As soon as he makes an error it's like he's killed someone on here and of course my favourite one is "he's the most over rated player in the nrl". He's twice the player he was in 2005 and getting better every season. He is currently one of the best in the world…..Full stop!
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[russelldp]

Australia
* Virtual Qld back line, been together years
* 1,7,9 play at same club

NZ
* fullback on debut
* halfback with 20 NRL games
* 1,6,7,9 all from different clubs

How does Benji dominate the best team in the world for 80 minutes with 4 days to prepare??

"lost", "overrated", "poor"- please, some of you need to get a clue!
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Thats a tricky one without knowing how the Kiwis set up is

If Benji is saying to Johnson "This is where I want to be by the end of the set , and this is where I want the ball ' well its Johnson's responsibility to get the forwards into the field position that Benji wants to be at the end of the set

Usually however when the senior playmaker sees something is on he will make the call or tell Johnson "2 plays til set move" is on

If something has unfolded on the spot you usually have a call (mine was usually Boss) when I saw something and I wanted the ball NOW

So to answer the question you can't blame the 6 without the 7 and vice versa

bingo!!!

 

[Tiger_Watto]

Benji has pretty much led the try assists and line break assists for the past 2 seasons. I'm pretty sure half the people on here are close to being fully retarded.. Fullback?? Lol

Couldn't agree more! You must have rocks in your head bagging him the way you all are. He hardly got any ball last night and even though he's the captain don't mean the half back shouldn't have some responsibility getting it to him. As mentioned by someone else earlier you can put that down to lack of preparation as a halves combo. We all love benji for the way he plays and if that means some dumb plays are part of the package then I'm ok with that. He's not perfect you know! As soon as he makes an error it's like he's killed someone on here and of course my favourite one is "he's the most over rated player in the nrl". He's twice the player he was in 2005 and getting better every season. He is currently one of the best in the world…..Full stop!
\
\
_Posted using RoarFEED 2012_

as I mentioned in another thread, he doesnt comande 1st pick status… hype will get you far in the world, but be careful!!!

Is Benji the best option for NZ? bloody oath!