Waratahs admit approaching benji

[Mina]

NSW captain Dave Dennis confirmed rumours the Tahs and Marshall's management had held recent discussions, with an eye to the disgruntled Tiger playing fullback in rugby. "I think there's been a bit of truth to that. You've seen how good Izzy's gone, if he was to come, you never know, it could be an absolute flop but if he is a skillful player and if he was to come I might see him as a No.15 or something, out the back," Dennis said. But short of Marshall playing for loose change, chances of the 28-year-old playing rugby are, effectively, next-to-none. The Waratahs are banking on both Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale to re-sign with them next season, exhausting their salary cap. Even if both fell through, Marshall's proud New Zealand heritage is understood to be a major hurdle. Unless Marshall declared himself available for the Wallabies which he doesn't want to do - the ARU would not offer him any top-up money, and the Waratahs couldn't afford his $750,000 a season price tag on their own for a foreign marquee player. "I think it depends on what other blokes do. If Israel stays and Kurtley is keen to come, I don't think we'll have much room for him," Dennis said. "But if those fall through it's an option that he's willing to take up, Benji. "We'll see what happens. But at the moment it's pretty far off, but there is a bit of truth to it I think, I think he's interested in having a crack at rugby."

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[LaT]

Well that flies in the face of every other thing I've read from people associated with the Waratahs. Think I read something where their coach said "we haven't spoken or approached him".

 

[tom620]

"I think it depends on what other blokes do. If Israel stays and Kurtley is keen to come, I don't think we'll have much room for him," Dennis said. "But if those fall through it's an option that he's willing to take up, Benji. "We'll see what happens. But at the moment it's pretty far off, but there is a bit of truth to it I think, I think he's interested in having a crack at rugby."

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I also doubt it will ever be a reality..

Izzy has made the Tahs well aware that they should be ready to react when opportunities come up (like they did with Iz).
But c'mon - Benji leaves league for similar/lower cash and a short/er contract? They have a salary cap as well and you dont make much in Rugby without playing for the Wallabies - an ARU top-up for Benji?
Plus the tahs priority must be Folau and Beale.

His manager is obviously trying to give him options, but I dont know that leaving league would be good for him.

It's a tough situation - does he take something good from the Tigers (but not what he was promised)?
Or does he make a jump and try to go great guns somewhere else..
If he kicks up a stink and gets a release, then thats fine with me.
If a post-Humpty and Sheens era doesnt have Benji helping out, then it is just something we have to adapt to for the sake of the future (next 3-4 years).

 

[Eye_Of_Da_Tiger]

They want him for what his worth not overs. Loose change!His struggling in Leaugue I don't think his up for a new challenge !

 

[stevetiger]

I really doubt they are speaking to him at all and I can't see them offering what we are offering. I think what this means is that Marshall's manager gives them a call and says can you help me drum up some interest.

I suppose its his choice what he wants to do but I fail to see why we should be increasing the money we are offering him considering his performance this year.

 

[tigersrule4life]

Lol only yesterday the coach said they didnt speak to him on foxsports news.

 

[rossop]

I am that disillusioned with the way things have been going this year I really don't care one way or the other.

 

[balmain boy]

Doesn't anyone think that Benji is just playing us for as much money as he can get, seeing we won't extend his current deal.

Neither the Waratahs or the Blues can offer him more than about 200k. He's said he won't play for other NRL clubs so that leaves playing in England, Japan or reneging on his word and playing for another NRL club.

Yet we upped our initial upgraded offer to help fend off rival interest. We don't have the cash to mess around with crap like this!

 

[supercoach]

I really cant see any club or any code paying big big dollars for Benji and that includes us. As posted many times the club will upgrade his contract as per Humpty's agreement but cant see them paying him the same or more when this current contract expires in two seasons. His manager is just trying to push his value up and I really dont see any code or club falling for it

Benji is a unique talent but he is not in the top elite players like Farah, so his contract should reflect that

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

This is fertile ground for Benji, as a professional sportsman, to have a midlife crisis.

 

[shane2801]

Marshall should be praising God that he has been blessed with the $$ he has already earned over the years.

 

[TigerOfBankstown]

Let him go to what ever sport he chooses..

What was promised in the past is irrelevant.. what is relevant is his form now..

its like i start turning up to work late, or work %75 as much, and then asking my managers for a payrise??

Benji has always been emotionally unstable and unrealistic… just look at his kick for touch last friday against the sharks, and his persistence to be our goal kicker...

PLEASE NOTE: BENJI HAS NEVER AND NEVER WILL BE A DECENT KICKER, its the kind of stuff you learn when your a kid, not as an adult.. some things are just known.. and Benji does not have the kicking co-ordination to be a good kicker like Adam Reynolds of souths..

Yet we maintain him as our goalkicker - Chris Lawrence is a better goal kicker for Fs sakes..

Does anyone else get the feeling that Benji is going to miss a conversion right in front? or am i simply paranoid? even my wife freaks out when Benji kicks for goal..

 

[travis_bickle]

Benji is contracted until the end of 2015 and his performances this year have been average at best. I can't understand his mangers urgency in getting a new deal sorted (unless worse is to come). You think an ideal time to negotiate a new deal is when he has some form on the board. Viewing his recent performances, no club in their right mind would pay Benjii what he is asking.

 

[shane2801]

Let him go to what ever sport he chooses..

What was promised in the past is irrelevant.. what is relevant is his form now..

its like i start turning up to work late, or work %75 as much, and then asking my managers for a payrise??

Benji has always been emotionally unstable and unrealistic… just look at his kick for touch last friday against the sharks, and his persistence to be our goal kicker...

PLEASE NOTE: BENJI HAS NEVER AND NEVER WILL BE A DECENT KICKER, its the kind of stuff you learn when your a kid, not as an adult.. some things are just known.. and Benji does not have the kicking co-ordination to be a good kicker like Adam Reynolds of souths..

Yet we maintain him as our goalkicker - Chris Lawrence is a better goal kicker for Fs sakes..

Does anyone else get the feeling that Benji is going to miss a conversion right in front? or am i simply paranoid? even my wife freaks out when Benji kicks for goal..

I hear you and share your pain. Two words "Loose Cannon" in every facet of Rugby League.

 

[foreveratiger]

You watch Benji will be staying , i'll bet anyone on that … he has invested to much in League to through it all away by going to Union , (Footy Show, the face of League to a certain extent etc.) when his League playing days are over , he has a job in the media guaranteed.
just an excuse to go to Bali and making it out that he Is making a decision.

 

[starling04]

I can't see the Tahs offering him a substantial salary increase because I think if they signed him, it would be a huge risk. It's probably more likely that he is going to the Blues. Benji needs to realise that he is still contracted for next year and that if he wants an upgrade it would better for him to be concentrating on playing his best football and regaining form then an upgrade will happen. It might be harsh of me to say but he seems distracted with other things at the moment.

 

[supercoach]

Benji and his manager are smart enough to know his value is going down by the day and in two years time he might be worth nothing.So stitch up a deal now while people can still remember the good days.I still think in a good fit side he may still be able to weave some magic,but Iam not sure how much cash I would be willing to risk on him

 

[JasTIGERS]

Marshall should be praising God that he has been blessed with the $$ he has already earned over the years. It's far more than what most Kiwis end up earning driving forklifts.

That sounds racist

 

[shane2801]

Sorry

Just edited my original post. I have heaps of Kiwi mates.

 

[cqtiger]

Marshall should be praising God that he has been blessed with the $$ he has already earned over the years. It's far more than what most Kiwis end up earning driving forklifts.

That sounds racist

What's your beef with a forklift?

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