Benji deserves Kiwis recall, says Reynolds
Benji Marshall has earned the chance to return from a six-year test exile and guide a Kiwis revival.
That’s the view of Wests Tigers team-mate Josh Reynolds, the man veteran Marshall has usurped in the pecking order for the club’s starting five-eighth spot.
Reynolds will come from the bench against Manly at Lottoland on Sunday in what will be his first game of the season because of a hamstring injury. Reynolds has been an impressed spectator as veteran Marshall guided the Tigers to a 4-1 start.
Coach Ivan Cleary has shown he cares little for reputations - and the fact Reynolds is on a A$3 million, four-year deal - by keeping Marshall in the starting side.
Reynolds had no qualms about being behind Marshall and was adamant his 33-year-old team-mate had been so good he deserved a return to the New Zealand team, which is coming off a disastrous World Cup campaign.
‘‘Yeah, 100 per cent,’’ Reynolds said when asked if Marshall should be the Kiwis No 6 for their mid-year test against England.
‘‘He’s playing good footy. I’m not sure who he’s up against for that position. On form, it’d be silly not to.
‘‘Just being around him, he’s just got a lot of footy knowledge. I think that can help New Zealand at the moment.
‘‘If you looks at the Warriors’ form, they’re are at the best they’ve been in five years. And they make up a lot of the New Zealand team. If you throw in someone like him, I think they’d be a great side.’’
Marshall was essentially banished from the Kiwis side under former coaches Stephen Kearney and David Kidwell.
After Kidwell stepped down following their disastrous World Cup campaign, Geoff Toovey, Laurie Daley, Michael Maguire are among the contenders to take over as coach.
Marshall’s chances of earning a test cap for the first time since 2012 will depend on who steps in, but there’s little doubt he’s outperforming fellow contenders Kieran Foran, Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin.
Reynolds has refused to kick stones after being asked to start off the bench and said he would likely spend time at hooker as well as in the halves on Sunday.
‘‘Unfortunate circumstances meant I wasn’t able to play round one,’’ Reynolds said.
‘‘Benji and [Luke Brooks] are playing some great footy so who am I to come back in straight away whoever you are?
‘‘My attitude stays exactly the same, I’m going to work hard on my game and maybe one day I will be the starting five-eighth.’’
Australia got out to a 21-14 lead in their game against Jamaica and although the second quarter was tight, at 15-15, a 19-9 third quarter in the hosts’ favour all but confirmed the victory.
Australia were clinical in their
shooting against the Sunshine Girls, with Caitlin Bassett netting 22 from 23 attempts, Caitlin Thwaites 22 from 22 and Susan Pettitt 20 from 21.
There was no surprise that Jamaica’s Jhaniele Fowler-reid
was the game’s top scorer, with 30 from 32 attempts, but it was in the midcout and Australia’s attack where the outcome of this game was decided.
Given that New Zealand have been defeated by Jamaica twice
this year and lost to Malawi in pool play, it would take a brave person to tip the Silver Ferns with any confidence to advance to the final.
The gold medal match and playoff for bronze take place on Sunday.