Benji Marshall returns to league

nzlizard · Apr 29, 2014

Not picking him is a non issue as he wasn't ready, not handling him properly is.

When you read a lot of the opinions(not talking about Benji, but code swapping) of people who have swapped codes, having a plan and being introduced slowly at the right level and position was the key. Benji was never going to work as a 1st five at this level, too much too soon.

Amobokoboko · May 2, 2014

It's a pity he's not joining the Storm this year:

Benji Marshall was expected to make a decision today between St George Illawarra and Cronulla as his new NRL club after the Dragons sensationally re-entered the race to sign the former Wests Tigers playmaker.
Marshall, who has now returned to Sydney on a permanent basis, met St George Illawarra coach Steve Price on Wednesday and was considering a deal to join the Dragons until 2016.
He has also met Sharks officials and intended to make a decision quickly on where he would resume his NRL career after rejecting an offer from Melbourne.
While Marshall had been interested in playing under Craig Bellamy in a team featuring Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater, the deal with the Storm was only for the remainder of the season.
Both St George Illawarra and Cronulla have proposed two-and-a-half year deals and Marshall was understood to be mulling over his decision on Thursday night.
With former Tigers teammates Andrew Fifita, Chris Heighington, Beau Ryan, Bryce Gibbs and Blake Ayshford at Cronulla, along with ex-chief executive Steve Noyce, who was in charge of the joint venture when Marshall began his career in 2003, the Sharks have been favourites to sign him since Fairfax Media revealed 10 days ago he was quitting the Auckland Blues to return to the NRL.
However, the Dragons also hold appeal and his signing would complete an all-star backline that includes England five-eighth Gareth Widdop, New Zealand test backs Jason Nightingale and Gerard Beale, Australian winger Brett Morris, NSW Origin fullback Josh Dugan and Indigenous All Stars centre Dylan Farrell.
Marshall also has close friends in Wollongong and he drove there to spend the night after flying into Sydney last Thursday afternoon for a weekend visit to consult manager Martin Tauber and begin sorting through his options.
Besides St George Illawarra, Cronulla and Melbourne, the Cowboys and Parramatta also expressed interest in the 29-year-old, but Fairfax Media was told he had ruled out all but the Sharks and Storm before returning to Auckland.
However, the Dragons re-emerged as a serious option mid-week and Marshall was understood to have met Price on Wednesday - but not at St George Leagues Club as was being reported on social media.
Before his return to Sydney on Wednesday, Marshall and wife Zoe managed to sell the house they had purchased in Auckland just six weeks ago after being approached by neighbours following the announcement he was returning to the NRL.
Zoe, who had television and radio work in Auckland, will follow Marshall to Sydney next week.
If he signed with St George Illawarra, Marshall's first game could be as soon as next Sunday against Canterbury at ANZ Stadium.
With the Mothers Day clash being a Dragons home game, the club could cash in as Marshall's presence would be sure to attract a lot of interest.
The Sharks play the Eels at Parramatta Stadium the following night, and then host Wests Tigers the following weekend in a match guaranteed to draw a big crowd if he played.
The Tigers were seeking compensation from whichever club signed Marshall as there was a clause in his deed of release at the end of last season in which he agreed not to play for anyone else in the NRL before 2016.<iframe src="http://tap2-cdn.rubiconproject.com/partner/scripts/rubicon/emily.html?rtb_ext=1&pc=8779/14417&geo=eu&co=be" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="NO" width="0" height="0" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; height: 0px; width: 0px; "></iframe>Salford and Catalans Dragons also expressed interest in Marshall, but he did not want to play in Super League.
Article [video]http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/10001125/Benji-Marshall-NRL-club-decision-due[/video]

Larksea · May 5, 2014

time in NPS could have given him a chance to adjust his passing and kicking skills which are very league focused. I think this has obviously been a big letdown, But Benji had potential in rugby, I cant help but feel his transition has been done in the worst possible way

No Club rugby or NPC to get him going
very little game time
no set position or place in the squad for him to make his own
all the uncertainty and changes for the blues at 10

nothing has been done right, it was doomed to fail.

Amobokoboko · May 9, 2014

[h=1]NRL: Benji signs with Dragons[/h]Benji Marshall says he is keen to show he can again be a force in the NRL after signing a two-and-half year NRL deal with St George Illawarra on Friday.
The Dragons beat Cronulla to secure the signature of the former Wests Tigers superstar, after he severed ties with Super Rugby's Auckland Blues on Easter Monday after failing to successfully convert to the 15-man code.
Marshall's form was poor in his final year with the Tigers last season, and at one stage he was benched by coach Mick Potter.
Marshall admitted he became lazy at the Tigers and was keen to turn that around.
"I have a point to prove. Not to everyone else, but to myself. I left on a low. My form was terrible,'' Marshall said at a press conference to trumpet his signing.
"From my point of view I am ready to go.

"This move to the Dragons gets me out of my comfort zone.
"Do I think I am past my best now? No.
"Will it take time to get back? Yes.
"But I have the desire to get back to my best.
"I'm just pretty happy to be back in the NRL.
"It is a challenge, obviously there is going to be a lot of pressure on my performance.
"If that takes two weeks, three weeks, if I have to play reserve grade I'm happy to do that.
Dragons coach Steve Price said Marshall would be a dynamic acquisition.
"Benji is a quality player who I believe will bring that real x-factor, especially in our attack,'' Price said.
"I have met with him a couple of times, he is a very proud man who wasn't happy with how his rugby league career ended and is really determined to make the most of his second chance in rugby league.''
The Dragons are banking on Benji Marshall to form a potent halves combination with Gareth Widdop as they attempt to reinvigorate themselves as premiership contenders.
Widdop has been a revelation for the Dragons this season after his offseason move from Melbourne but he has struggled to find a regular halves partner with Michael Witt, Sam Williams and Adam Quinlan all used at halfback.
The joint venture started the season well, winning their opening three matches. But since then they have won just one of the next five.
Marshall could make his Dragons debut as soon as their round 10 clash with Parramatta at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday week.
He will face his former club in round 20 at ANZ Stadium.
On Tuesday England pivot Widdop said Marshall would be a good signing for the joint venture.
"As a young fellow, I played with some great players down at Melbourne so, to play with Benji - another great player - would be great too,'' Widdop said.
"Everyone knows what he has done for rugby league. He was a great player before he left for rugby union.
"Everyone watches footy to watch people like Benji and, to have him back, I'm sure it is going to attract a lot more attention which is great for rugby league.''

ABs2011

First XV

May 19, 2014

#35

Amobokoboko said:
NRL: Benji signs with Dragons

Benji Marshall says he is keen to show he can again be a force in the NRL after signing a two-and-half year NRL deal with St George Illawarra on Friday.

Mmmmm, you watch him on the weekend? Pretty god awful huh! Only one game I know, but I wonder if Benji's time is up?