Benji Marshall

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Benji Marshall
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Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall (born February 25, 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand) is a rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the Australian National Rugby League competition. He has represented New Zealand in internationals. Although he has played other positions, Marshall normally plays as a five-eighth

When possessing the ball, Marshall likes to use a unique 'sidestep', a sudden change of direction, to avoid defending players.

Contents

[edit] Pre-NRL Biography

Marshall was born in 1985 in Whakatane, New Zealand to his mother, Lydia, who was only 17 at the time. Growing up he played Rugby Union and Touch football. As a junior he represented New Zealand (Union) and after moving across the Tasman, Australia (touch football and rugby league).

At 15 he went on a school trip to the Gold Coast in Australia. He attended a Keebra Park State High School trial rugby league game at the invitation of a friend. As a result of his performance in that game, Marshall was invited to apply for a Keebra Park SHS Sports Scholarship. The Scholarship program, which still runs, is associated with the Wests Tigers NRL Club with which Marshall later signed. Marshall relocated to the Gold Coast on his own, leaving his mother and two half-brothers in New Zealand.

Marshall captained Keebra Park in the national schoolboys competition. Whilst at Keebra Park he represented Queensland and New Zealand in schoolboys competitions. He also made appearances for Wests Tigers junior teams and in the World Sevens.

[edit] His NRL career

Marshall made his debut in July 2003 at age 18 against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as fullback. The Tigers won the game 50–16. Marshall continued to make appearances for Wests Tigers for the remainder of 2003, when his studies allowed, playing half back.

In 2004 Marshall starred in the pre-season World Sevens competition helping the Tigers to win the tournament. He began the NRL season playing centre until he dislocated his shoulder against the North Queensland Cowboys. During his time off the Tigers struggled in attack. When he returned after four weeks off he was moved to the play making position of 5/8. From there Marshall set the club on a record 3 match winning streak. He dislocated the same shoulder four weeks into his return and his 2004 season was ended as he had surgery.

In 2005 Marshall injured his other shoulder in the opening minutes of the first trial (practice) match. After missing the opening round match (which the Tigers lost), Marshall went into five-eighth for the club's second match of the year against defending premiers The Bulldogs.

With an injury free run, Marshall demonstrated a passing, running, and kicking game to compliment his stepping. He was able to score individual tries and set-up tries for his team-mates.

Benji posing in Cosmopolitan magazine during the 2004 season
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Benji posing in Cosmopolitan magazine during the 2004 season

In 2006, in the opening game against West's rivals St George before a 30000+ crowd, With a broken cheekbone, Benji set up the winning try with a flanking run, than an inside step, drawing in three St George left wing defenders, before passing to the unmarked Wests winger to score.

Making his comeback against Melbourne Storm, Marshall set up many tries with a mixture of stepping and perceptiveness. In the 79th minute he was injured by Cowboy's prop Carl Webb. He popped his shoulder out but recovered in 3 weeks, playing for New Zealand in the Anzac test. With another injury-free run he began producing dominating performances of the Tigers but 8 weeks into his come-back he dislocated the same shoulder that was dislocated against North Queensland and he is expected to miss the rest of the season

[edit] Side-Step

At the start of his career Marshall took the Rugby League world by storm when he unleashed his unique side step on opposition teams. Marshall's side step bamboozled teams such as the Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights in the latter part of 2003, when he made his debut. Almost like a hop, Marshall is able to change the direction of his body dramatically whilst airborne, often picking and choosing which direction at will. Though now not as prominent as in his early career, the Marshall side step is now copied and imitated by many around Australia and the Rugby League community.

[edit] Career Playing Statistics (as of the end of the 2006 season)

Apps Tries Goals F/G Points
49 21 4 0 92
Also see: *Official Scoring Record

[edit] International

Although legally able to represent Australia, Marshall declared his loyalty to New Zealand early in his career.[citation needed] This meant he could not play State of Origin. Marshall made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test. New Zealand lost.

He was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his shoulder in June ruled him out .

Benji is also an accomplished Guitarist and singer.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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