Why Benji could boost the Warriors
Could Kiwis World Cup winner Benji Marshall – who is reportedly being touted to rival NRL rugby league clubs – fill a void on the Warriors’ roster?
Marshall has been dropped by the Wests Tigers – allegedly for suspect defence – despite winning two man-of-the-match awards this season.
Now, the 35-year-old could be poised for a move to another club in, potentially, his final NRL campaign.
A column by Michael Chammas in yesterday’s Sydney Morning Herald claimed Marshall’s manager had offered the Tigers veteran to a number of clubs, potentially including the Cowboys, Melbourne Storm and Manly Sea Eagles, who all have playmakers in their casualty wards.
Chammas wrote: ‘‘When we spoke to Marshall, he insisted that he had no knowledge of his manager’s actions and had no desire to leave.
‘‘His manager, Matt Desira, refused to comment when asked if he had been in contact with rival teams, but NRL club sources have told SMH that Desira has reached out to several clubs over the past week to seek expressions of interest. It’s understood the Tigers have been made aware of the approach to rivals teams.’’
Maybe Desira, should rock up to a certain Central Coast accommodation base and knock on Warriors’ interim manager Todd Payten’s door.
Marshall would be an asset to the Warriors on so many levels.
Even in his twilight, Marshall might just be an upgrade in the playmaker division, given the upand-down form of halves Blake Green and Kodi Nikorima.
He’s also able to deputise at hooker – a problem position for the Warriors this year (although young half Chanel Tavita-Harris made a reasonable fist of the role in last weekend’s Storm lashing). Before the hyphenated hooker’s cameo, the Warriors had scarce threat and creativity from dummy half.
Marshall appeals, at very least, as a viable No 14 option on the Warriors’ bench.
Why would Marshall – an NRL winner with the Tigers in 2005 – consider playing for a club mired in 14th place?
One last challenge in the NRL before finishing his career overseas – England’s Super League or the fledgling New York club have, reportedly, been interested.
Perhaps the Warriors management, in their time of crisis, could push the patriotism button.
Marshall was overcome with emotion during the Kiwis’ haka on his return to the test arena in 2019 after seven years in the test wilderness.
He was also extremely proud to captain the Kiwis in last November’s series against Great Britain.
Michael Maguire, the Kiwis coach who restored Marshall to the leadership, has left him out of the Wests Tigers teams for the last three NRL rounds.
Marshall’s attitude, however, hasn’t been questioned, according to the Sydney Morning Herald report, which said he’d be reluctant to leave the Tigers, but could also be tempted to get more game-time elsewhere. He has played elsewhere during his career – three seasons at the Dragons and a year with the Brisbane Broncos, where he filled a utility role.
Frustrated Warriors fans may argue that, given the deluge of tries scored by recent opponents, the Kiwi club desperately need a dogged defender, not an attack specialist in Marshall’s mould.
But Marshall would offer more than his playing ability. His leadership, on and off the field, would be a major asset in these troubled times. It’d be like having a coach on the pitch and his presence could take the pressure off the Warriors’ spiritual leaders, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tohu Harris.
He’d still be able to see his family in Sydney and commute to television studio appearances from the Warriors’ Terrigal base.
The Warriors desperately need some feel-good factor.
What a fairytale finish it would be to see Benji Marshall in a Warriors jersey almost 20 years after leaving Whakatane as a kid with a NRL dream.