Has Benji lost pace

[cktiger]

Let's not forget that Benji got reeled in by Ben Smith last year too, after coming back from his knee. He's not a power runner, so when he starts to get reeled in he takes his foot off the gas, unlike someone like Lawrence who hits the afterburners and tries to power through.

Benji runs just like a touch footballer. He'll duck and weave and pin his ears back in a staggered defensive line, **but if he thinks he's covered he'll pull up and look for support**.

Think you might be on the money - although in saying that I think he has put on a little beef which has slowed him a little.
If that had been Lawrence or Moltzen they would have backed themselves to burn Tamou off over the next few metres.
I think if Marshall had of kept going he would have got past him - but we'll never know!

 

[Guest]

Tamou played his junior football in the centres too, so he's no slouch. He'd be the quickest prop in the NRL.

 

[VX225]

Let's not forget that Benji got reeled in by Ben Smith last year too, after coming back from his knee. He's not a power runner, so when he starts to get reeled in he takes his foot off the gas, unlike someone like Lawrence who hits the afterburners and tries to power through.

Benji runs just like a touch footballer. He'll duck and weave and pin his ears back in a staggered defensive line, but if he thinks he's covered he'll pull up and look for support.

Yeah I agree with this. I reckon Benji knew there was a cowboys player near him, so pulled up to look for support. He probably didn't realise it was a prop. I reckon if he knew it was a prop chasing him he would have just pinned his ears back and went for it.

 

[TJL0811]

Was I the only who got a flashback from benjis break which led to the flick pass in the 05 grand final?
I was just waiting for someone to come up & receive the flick pass to score
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[Flippedy]

What Tamou did was amazing! Ashley Graham was making no impression chasing after Benji, yet Tamou catches him??? That's nuts!

On another note, there seemed to be a bit of friction between Benji and Tamou today. What's the bet it had something to do with Tamou turning his back on New Zealand and getting selected for Oz instead. Benji is a very patriotic Kiwi.

I'm betting it had more to do with being taken out mid-air and landing square on his arse.

Yeah well obviously that too lol, but I still think there was more in it.

 

[happy_tiger]

I still wonder if he got a slight twinge The next two times he touches the ball after the run he seems to have a slight limp

After that he seems fine If anyone has the game recorded watch and see you'll see what I mean

 

[benji_76]

I think that he is slower than he was 2,3 years ago
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[stryker]

I am not concerned…he may have lost a little, but he is still quick. Tamou also had a head start on Benj. If they started on the tryline together, he wouldnt have kept up.

 

[rossop]

He seems to be pretty quick for 20-30 meters but slowed down after that. Plus Tamou was coming at an angle which made it appear he was faster.

 

[Tigerpete]

May've lost a bit of speed, yes. I would also consider the fact that Benji is one of a few players who've had the flu the past few weeks, according to Sheens. Factor in the fact it was in the second half and you'd imagine it did limit his energy levels to some degree.

 

[TurnStyle]

May've lost a bit of speed, yes. I would also consider the fact that Benji is one of a few players who've had the flu the past few weeks, according to Sheens. Factor in the fact it was in the second half and you'd imagine it did limit his energy levels to some degree.

great post! i was very surprised he didnt put it in, but after seeing this thread my thoughts were about what benji had just been doing on the field, ie; way more fatigued at the time.

i cant say i have noticed him being slower than he used to be, but i have always thought of him as pretty damn fast. what i have noticed is his entire game is so much better in the last 2 seasons: way less errors and way better in defence - more than capable of holding his own now.

 

[Frank_the_tank]

It's the beard!!! less aerodynamic causes more drag thus slowing him down

 

[Jazza]

To me he has been a bit slower ever since he did his knee. It happens, I was quick in my youth, did my knee and never regained my pace.
Also it could be due to the fact that he has been in the halves for so long. As the old saying goes 'Use it or lose it', being in the halves for so long he is not running as much in open space like he would if say he was a fullback.

 

[stryker]

He has blown many players away for speed since his knee op Jazza. He has got older and heavier, but can still make a break.

 

[Chris]

So I thought I'd watch the replay again and when Benji took the ball on our tryline, Tamou was on about the 35 meter mark and lingered there till Benji got between the 10 and 22 thats when Tamou starts his chase and when Benji passes him, Tamou is already at full speed. Basically Tamou had a 20 meter start before Benji passed him.