Blame Benji
Marshall faces early chop from Tigers
BENJI MARSHALL could be denied a 200-game farewell to the NRL – or be forced to celebrate the achievement via the bench – after the Wests Tigers successfully applied for permission to select under-20s star Luke Brooks for tomorrow night’s clash with St George Illawarra.
Pressure has been mounting for Super Rugby-bound Marshall to be axed in favour of Brooks, with fans demanding the club plan for 2014 by blooding the 18-year-old for the remaining three rounds of the regular season.
Criticism of Marshall has intensified since he wore a Blues jersey when confirming his code switch to the Aucklandbased franchise earlier this month; his onfield performances have also alienated fans as they endure a disastrous season.
In the latest indication of dissent towards one of the club’s favourite sons, an online petition was launched on Tuesday demanding he be dropped.
The former Kiwis captain has been named by Mick Potter at five-eighth and although the head coach admitted it would be difficult to deny Marshall double centurion status, the club asked the NRL on Wednesday for permission to include Brooks and another promising potential debutant Nathan Brown in their 17-man squad.
A statement from the club said permission to breach the second tier salary cap was granted by NRL salary cap auditor Ian Schubert.
Potter will decide after training today whether Brooks, who has long been identified as an out-of-form Marshall’s heir ap- parent, and rookie front rower Brown will feature in a rejigged lineup to play at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The statement said Schubert agreed to the Wests Tigers’ request because both sides are out of title contention, and the dispensation only applies to tomorrow’s fixture between the 14th and 15th-placed teams.
If Marshall is omitted from the gameday squad for the first time this season the 28-year-old would have to play against the Rabbitohs next Friday and then the round 26 clash with North Queensland in Townsville to sign off with 200 games.
The NRL may not look so favourably on Brooks and Brown being included against the second-placed Rabbitohs while the Cowboys could also be in contention heading into the final round of the regular season.
In other NRL action this weekend, the Warriors play the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park tomorrow in a match they must win to keep alive their faint hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.