Tigers welcome Benji back
WESTS Tigers’ legend Benji Marshall is adamant he still has a lot to offer the battling NRL club.
Coach Ivan Cleary says he wouldn’t have brought the veteran playmaker back if that wasn’t the case.
News of Marshall’s return to the club for next season broke just a few hours before the Tigers rallied from a 14point halftime deficit to beat finals aspirant Manly 30-26 at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
New Zealander Marshall 32, played just over 200 games in 11 seasons from 2002 to 2013 and was an integral part of their 2005 premiership team.
Marshall hasn’t enjoyed the same success elsewhere. He had a short and unproductive Super Rugby stint with the Blues in New Zealand in 2014.
The Kiwi back played the next two seasons with St George Illawarra.
He linked with Brisbane this year but Cleary is looking forward to seeing some more Marshall magic.
“He’s really keen to contribute in the future, that’s the main thing,” said Cleary.
“He’s also got so much he can offer, mentorship and leadership. I think that’s a nice story, it’s good for both club and player.”
Aaron Woods, who had Marshall as a Wests teammate for his first three seasons, was disappointed to miss out on playing alongside the Kiwi again, after committing to Canterbury next year.
“It doesn’‘t matter if you’re a kid that’s debuted or played 100 games, he treats everyone the same,” he said.