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Moltzen a man of principles - best mate Benji relieved impasse is over
Brad Walter
November 6, 2011LONDON: New Zealand captain Benji Marshall believes Wests Tigers teammate Tim Moltzen would have gone through with threats to sit out next season if he had been forced to play for St George Illawarra.
Speaking from London where the Kiwis faced Wales this weekend in the Four Nations, Marshall welcomed the news Moltzen will stay with the Tigers after the Dragons agreed last week to drop the contract dispute between the two clubs.
Marshall, who lives with Moltzen, was relieved the impasse had been resolved. ‘‘He is my best mate so I know how distressed he was about it,’’ Marshall said. ‘‘Since I have been over here I have just been concentrating on what I have got to do but to hear that news I am over the moon.’’
Tigers and Australian coach Tim Sheens also welcomed the news and said a shoulder injury suffered this season would not keep Moltzen on the sidelines next year.
‘‘I am obviously pleased to see that the clubs have settled it and for Tim’s sake that he will be with the club,’’ Sheens said. ''He has carried a shoulder all year and he will be playing with it next year. He had a shoulder injury since round three last year and he will rehab it.
‘‘It is not a major issue, it is one of those ones that you could have had surgery on it if you want to but I know a lot of my players, like a lot of players generally, carry injuries with their shoulders and rehab them, strap them and play. He has played all year with it so I can’t see any reason why he can’t next year.’’
Kiwis forward Adam Blair, who caused headlines of his own recently with his switch from Melbourne to the Tigers, said Moltzen was a key player at his new club. ‘‘I thought at the back end of the Tigers’ season he was one of their key players and he played a massive role in turning their season around,’’ Blair said.
If there was an upside to the suspension that sidelined Blair for 10 weeks, it is that it gave the New Zealand forward and his young family time to relocate from Melbourne to Sydney for his impending move to the Tigers next season.
Blair was banned in round 25 of the NRL premiership for his part in the infamous ‘‘Donnybrookvale’’ brawl between Melbourne and Manly players. While he was banned for five matches on two charges, Blair missed out on not only the finals and the chance to play a farewell match at Melbourne’s AAMI Park but also two Tests against Australia.
Had the Storm made the grand final or New Zealand’s proposed international against Cook Islands gone ahead, he would have been free to play in last weekend’s opening Four Nations clash with the Kangaroos.
‘‘I guess you could say the Storm boys didn’t do me any favours and it was a bit disappointing that the game in the Cook Islands didn’t go ahead but that’s the way it goes,’’ Blair said. ‘‘The time off gave me a chance to find a place to live in Sydney so I won’t have to worry about that when I get back from England.’’
Blair, who became a father earlier in the year, spent the three days between the October 16 Test against Australia in Newcastle and the Kiwis departure for London unpacking at his new home. The 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal.
‘‘It’s good to have clubs chasing you and I had a few things to think about but I think the way the Tigers play suits the way I like to play,’’ he said.
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Go sheens moltzen marshall blair bring on 2012
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’'He has carried a shoulder all year and he will be playing with it next year".
I would have thought he’d be carrying 2 shoulders
Sorry, just my stupid sense of humour - small things amuse small minds, so they say. -
Man these journos eh?
They must really think we’re mugs.
This from the author……New Zealand captain Benji Marshall believes Wests Tigers teammate Tim Moltzen would have gone through with threats to sit out next season if he had been forced to play for St George Illawarra.
…despite NZ
Marshall quoted nowhere in the article as saying this, and the player in question denying it earlier as well. -
Man these journos eh?
They must really think we’re mugs.
This from the author……New Zealand captain Benji Marshall believes Wests Tigers teammate Tim Moltzen would have gone through with threats to sit out next season if he had been forced to play for St George Illawarra.
…despite NZ
Marshall quoted nowhere in the article as saying this, and the player in question denying it earlier as well.you beat me to the punch! was going to say the same thing.
I was waiting for a “Source close to benji” at least, but nope not even that catch all.
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Half of these “journos” must have had stints at Who Weekly or Womans Day prior to sports writing…
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