Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tim Sheens]

I'm not prepared to rank Benji against any of the great 5/8ths - circumstances of some players vastly different to others re: eras, clubs, and team mates - but he certainly sits beside them.

Exactly. Basically a whole generation grew up idolising and wanting to play like Benji Marshall, who little doubt drew many players, particularly those brought up with Rugby Union amongst the Maori and Polynesian communities over to league.

A player that missed many games early in his career due to injury, whilst also playing many more with a crook shoulder, who despite that, evolved his game and went on to reach the rare tally of 300 plus NRL games.

Personally, since the competition has included Auckland for more than three decades now, l wouldn't be adverse to him being the first Kiwi player to join another rare club and be named as an immortal.

 

[Tim Sheens]

He's an Immortal. One of the GOATs

Hahahahaha, I see this just as my reply post about him deserving to become the first Kiwi immortal comes up.

 

[rihannafan1]

Hahahahaha, I see this just as my reply post about him deserving to become the first Kiwi immortal comes up.

GF winner, World Cup winner, Golden Boot winner, made the top 8 three times w WT. The only person in history with those stats 😉

 

[Tucker]

without a shadow of a doubt. even QLD would’ve found a spot for him at 14 or in the centres. NSW had some diabolical halves there during Benji’s prime too. he would’ve been a mainstay of that side.

I doubt that very much. His best years were 2005 and 2009-2011.
Certainly wouldn’t have cracked QLD our sides were stacked to the eyeballs. Maybe NSW…maybe. However I doubt they’d stick a bloke who couldn’t tackle in against those QLD sides.

 

[Tucker]

Widdop played 7 to Barrett. Is Benji worse than Barrett?

But then, Barrett played 7 to Mundine. So is Benji behind Mundine?

They were more complete players.

 

[Tucker]

That gets back to who the coaching staff was at the time and whether they thought his style of play suited the dynamics of the side also how good his form was at the time.

Planets have to align for any player to make origins sides, even good ones get overlooked if the coach prefers someone else.

Yep. When he had good years though, the Tigers did as well so I doubt that would have been the barrier it is now.

 

[Tucker]

While not predominantly a 5/8 Jason Smith was a player i enjoyed watching....he could set the tempo for the game.much like cameron smith slowing it down to suit

Yeah I like him too. Proper footy player, not an athlete.

 

[Tucker]

In 2008 the kiwis beat the kangaroos 34-20 in the World Cup Final .

The kangaroos spine that day was arguably one of the best
Slater
Lockyer
Thurston
Smith

Plus a couple of nuffys in the centres called Inglis & Folau

The Kiwis spine was
Hohaia
Benji
Fien
Leuluai

Benji scored a try & kicked a couple of goals in that game .

In 2010 Benji captained the Kiwis to a win in the 4 nations cup final against the kangaroos & also won the Golden Boot for worlds best player in the same year .

It’s fair to say Benji more than competed with the best at the time .

Occasionally., but not really.
His win percentage v Australia was 12%. Two wins from 16 starts, both finals which was nice for him.

 

[tigahhh]

bula double in 10 minutes 🔥

 

[tigahhh]

and again 😂

 

[Tucker]

I understand the doubts about Benji Marshall the coach but people really need to stop with the garbage takes about Benji Marshall the player…. the guy was literally the best player in the game at one point & was untouchable.

Not literally.
He never won a Dally M Player of the year award.
His golden boot year was a successful one with a lucky win v Australia but you have to be at and around that level for many years to be considered one of the best - or the best as someone stated in your position.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

I’ve never seen a player decline and regress like Benji did. He was never the same player after 2012. He was average at best at the Dragons. Definitely didn’t play his entire career as an elite player.

 

[tigahhh]

I’ve never seen a player decline and regress like Benji did. He was never the same player after 2012. He was average at best at the Dragons. Definitely didn’t play his entire career as an elite player.

he played in a grand final in his last year 🤦🏻‍♀️

 

[GNR4LIFE]

he played in a grand final in his last year 🤦🏻‍♀️

And? Shane Perry won a comp with the Broncos playing 7.

 

[tigahhh]

fourth try

BULA VS COOK ISLANDS 🤣🤣

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Not literally.
He never won a Dally M Player of the year award.
His golden boot year was a successful one with a lucky win v Australia but you have to be at and around that level for many years to be considered one of the best - or the best as someone stated in your position.

Many players credit Benji for changing the way 5/8s play & bringing a different dynamic to the game. How many players playing currently have said they grew up idolising Benji & watching him play? To me that speaks testament to the sort of player the Benji was which was a once in a generation player.

 

[Tucker]

Many players credit Benji for changing the way 5/8s play & bringing a different dynamic to the game. How many players playing currently have said they grew up idolising Benji & watching him play? To me that speaks testament to the sort of player the Benji was which was a once in a generation player.

*Once in a generation attacking runner, who had unparalleled footwork.
The rest of his game was rocks and diamonds and unfortunately more of the first type.

 

[yeti]

At his best, he was absolutely brilliant with the ball in hand. He could do things no-one else could (or would). He was not brilliant on the other side of the ball, however. But then again, nor was Thurston who was at times little more than a speed bump. To me, the fact that he is even mentioned as being one of the greats, is a testament to his ability. Whether one agrees or not, the game was better for his involvement.

 

[Bellend]

Laurie Daley had Rick Stuart as his halfback, Bradley Clyde as his lock, Mal Meninga as his centre, Know imaging what damage Benji could have done with those players.

 

[Tucker]

Laurie Daley had Rick Stuart as his halfback, Bradley Clyde as his lock, Mal Meninga as his centre, Know imaging what damage Benji could have done with those players.

Those players wouldn’t have made him a better defender, decision maker or leader and that’s what his faults were.
From a purely attacking point of view, maybe not a lot changes. He created the vast majority of his own opportunities.