Play your own game, confident Bennett urges Benji
WAYNE Bennett has urged Benji Marshall to back his instincts as the veteran playmaker braces for a showdown with Penrith sensation Nathan Cleary tonight at Suncorp Stadium.
The scratching of champion fullback Darius Boyd yesterday has placed extra responsibility on Marshall and Kodi Nikorima in the sudden- death semi- final.
Marshall produced an erratic display against the Roosters in the opening week of the finals, with his try assist for James Roberts marred by some crucial unforced errors.
The 19- year- old Cleary is being hailed the next Johnathan Thurston but Bennett is confident Marshall can coun- ter the Penrith phenomenon by channelling the natural skill that won him a premiership at Wests Tigers in 2005.
“I just want him to be Benji, not being someone else,” Bennett said.
“I thought our last- play kicks were pretty good ( last week), so I hope Benji just plays what is in front of him and enjoys his footy.
“He has been with us for 27 weeks now, so he has another opportunity and I’m confident he will play well.”
Bennett dropped an 11thhour selection bombshell last week when he dropped Nikori- ma to the bench, but the super coach insists the pint- sized utility will start at fullback.
Nikorima admitted his shock at being demoted on game day and Bennett dismissed suggestions he doesn’t have faith in the 174cm attacking whiz.
“I’ll definitely start Kodi at fullback,” he said.
“I just wanted to take some pressure off him.”
Boyd looked to have recovered from his hamstring complaint when he took part in Brisbane’s captain’s run yesterday but the Maroons ace later told Broncos medicos he couldn’t take the risk. “It was his call. It’s the right call,” Bennett said.
“If Darius doesn’t feel he can perform at his best, I’d rather that than going out there and letting everybody down.”
“He wasn’t under pressure from me or the club. Darius has always been honest, he is a perfectionist, he doesn’t like failure and not playing well.”
Legendary Broncos fiveeighth Kevin Walters insists Brisbane can win without Boyd and believes Marshall was let down by his forwards last week.