BENJI

[The_Old_Fox]

May be in the twilight of his career but he has produced the most stunning sunset I have ever seen.

Our team today:
Defensively fantastic.
Attack is surging.
We worked for each other 200%
Overall magnificent.

<3 XOXOXO

He's defence has improved out of sight..at one point when the Storm were pressing the line near the end of the game he did 3 tackles in a row in the same play..absolutely outstanding compared to how he used to tackle.

 

[happy_tiger]

:sign: It may not have been a brilliant game but they competed for the full 80mins that what counts, the storm were just as good almost. Our defence is great and we are playing with patience n guts. "I wonder when or if the storm has lost back to back games to the some opposition ever" Anyone know? A champion Coach/team!

2005 vs cowboys according to fox

Edit - misread your question, cowboys were the last to down them twice in one year.

2005 was the last time they lost 2 games in 3 weeks to the same team

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Someone was cutting onions when I was watching the presser and he was asked about representing the Kiwi’s again and he said “I’m just happy to be home” 😏

 

[jirskyr]

His defence is nothing like it used to be, I keep reminding myself how he used to be a liability, now he fairly clobbers his opponents and is fast enough to cover laterally.

Don't get me wrong he still has a mad missed tackle in him but its such a change this year to have no obvious defensive liability on the park. Shout out to Slimey Fart.

 

[barra]

I wonder what Cleary is thinking

Surely he told Benji to rein it in after last weeks final 20 minutes

Why can't Benji just let a bad play /decision die a bad decision , take the tackle ….. instead of throwing passes that make it worse ??

Yeah that's the one thing annoying me too mate.

We all know he's going to make an error here and there, and I'm able to cop that - but sometimes he just needs to straighten up and take the tackle instead of continual crabbing and even going backwards.

 

[momo_amp_medo]

Not sure how it would work out …. but I would give Benji a go at fullback when Reynolds returns.

He could work off the bench interchange with Tui just to have a look how it pans out.

Only a thought?

 

[kh_canada]

“When you kick the winning field goal and go inches from scoring the winning try and it's not your best game then I'll take that any day.”

100% nailed it TIGER. He had a slightly more average game than in previous matches & everyone is ready to move him on? It’s crazy what gets said on this forum when the side is winning.

 

[Tiger_Steve]

Can't wait for Reynolds to be back. As I've said before Benji doesn't have 80 minutes of good footy in him

Jeez that’s a hard comment. His 80 minute effort won us the game against the Roosters.

But I think Reynolds, Liddle and Benji working 9 and 6 gives us options and keeps the three of them fresher.

 

[Telltails]

Reynolds has hardly played any consistent footy for over a year. I am interested to see how he goes but I will be surprised if he starts at the expense of Benji considering where we are situated at the moment.

 

[old_man_tiger]

:sign: It may not have been a brilliant game but they competed for the full 80mins that what counts, the storm were just as good almost. Our defence is great and we are playing with patience n guts. "I wonder when or if the storm has lost back to back games to the some opposition ever" Anyone know? A champion Coach/team!

2005 vs cowboys according to fox

Edit - misread your question, cowboys were the last to down them twice in one year.

2005 was the last time they lost 2 games in 3 weeks to the same team

Thanks Hap

 

[TigerSJ]

Wow tough crowd! IMO Benji has been one of the main reasons we have won four tough games. He has been all over pretty much everything the team have done to get the 2 points. Besides this, he has been particularly good for the WTs off the field with displays of sportmanship, good media handling and great promotion of the Team culture. Some of his smarts and efforts on the field have been outstanding and I don't think we would have won those games if Reynolds was there in his place. This begs the question taht everyone is asking - where to now? I believe in Ivan and I'm sure he will have some ideas on how to get the best out of both of them.

 

[Magpie_Magic]

Think Benji is super on many levels.
Back in 05 that was special where we hadthe team players coach and tactics to win in attack happens every few decades no more and is very special and we took it . Obviously the team changes so it's not sustainable long term but we had to do that then and they new they could outscore their opponent every time.
Back then Benji was the best match winner that I ever saw where because of his feats opponents would get out phsyced before games. Who can forget him running past Gas and Cooper Australian test centre's in a Final. He and we maxed teams out.
But now he is the right man for us in so many ways. Linking new players to the club to what it means to be part of the Wests tigers. So in his cool understated way almost like a back up father figure he is just what Brooks needs almost like Luke feels he can take control but Benji is there when needed. And defense wise his great but the other big thing he brings is a very good kicking game something he never had.
Reynolds will be great off the bench lifting us to another level which we need to go to now. Truth is the players might have been thinking of these first 5 games for a while and now may feel a let down. Reynolds will add another dimension to the team running off offloads as will ET as the team evolves.
Benji must start games. It's working. Reynolds will be like a shock weapon off the bench guaranteeing no flat spots.

 

[Bob]

Fantastic player, didn’t have his greatest game that he admitted. Still was one of the better sixes of the round.

He is an emotional kiwi and probably tried a little to hard for the home crowd.

When Benji tries to hard he tends to push a play a little bit far.

He is probably I little better when he tries to play within himself.

 

[mike]

The bar is so high with Benji even his less brilliant games are pretty good. Sure the last game and a half hasn’t been his best but they are still winning. Almost scored the winning try and certainly won the game with his field goal.

His defence is no longer a liability and the control of the game he displayed in the first 3.5 games is exactly what was needed. I am sure just his presence helps the younger players. I have no doubt he is one of the major reasons Brooks is playing so well this year.

Benji is the reason I am going to every game I can this year. He is one in a generation player. Seeing him going around one last time is special and something I don’t want to miss.

 

[colmcd]

Start Benji, he has earned that spot and it good for Brooks.

Reynolds can come in off the bench. He is a class and gritty player, lets see if he can outdo Marshall.

Either way we need an X factor, maybe Marshall has to bring his walking stick, but he is the BEST X factor we have ever had.

 

[Snake]

Haha yeah he pulled his finger at the crucial time

Benji will come off the beach when Reynolds is available … It is a long season and at Benjis age he will find it tough as the season goes on . Very excited to see how this pans out .

 

[barra]

I guess the Plan A was JR starting with Benji on the bench… if we ever get everyone fighting fit, this will probably be the way it goes?

 

[innsaneink]

Can't wait for Reynolds to be back. As I've said before Benji doesn't have 80 minutes of good footy in him

I wouldn't be so certain Reynolds has 80 mins of good footy in him either… He was very loose & panicky during the trials... We need him cool calm and collected

 

[The_Patriot]

Can't wait for Reynolds to be back. As I've said before Benji doesn't have 80 minutes of good footy in him

Jeez that’s a hard comment. His 80 minute effort won us the game against the Roosters.

But I think Reynolds, Liddle and Benji working 9 and 6 gives us options and keeps the three of them fresher.

Thats my point i guess. I see them as more of a group.

Benji can still be there at the end of a game or when the pressure is on and we need something. We just start with Reynolds, use benji as a closer. Reynolds also gives Liddle a 10 minute rest to allow him to go hard for 70.

 

[tigerbill]

I must be watching a different game. His last game was his worst and even then he made the long-range kick that put JAC in two minds and lead to a try and he slotted the FG. And that is on his off day. he's also good in our scrambling defense and runs players down. I think some of you haven't watched Reynolds play. He ain't cronk guys!