- Benji Marshall
Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Benji Marshall
fullname = Benji Quentin Marshall
nickname = Bagz
caption =
position = rlp|FE
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|2|25|df=yes
placeofbirth =Whakatane
countryofbirth =New Zealand
height = convert|182|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|92|kg|stlb|abbr=on
club1 = leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16Wests Tigers
year1start = 2003
year1end = present
appearances1 = 79
tries1 = 33
goals1 = 62
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 256
teamA = leagueicon|New Zealand Kiwis|16 New Zealand
yearAstart = 2005
yearAend = 2007
appearancesA = 3
triesA = 0
goalsA = 1
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 2
updated = 02:16, 31 August 2008 (UTC)
source = [http://203.166.101.37/NRL08/playercareer.asp?lplayer=990001 NRL Stats] and [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Benji_Marshall.html Rugby League project]Benji Marshall (born
25 February 1985 inWhakatane ,New Zealand ) is a professionalrugby league player for theWests Tigers in the AustralianNational Rugby League (NRL) competition. He has representedNew Zealand in internationals. He primarily plays at five-eighth.NRL career
Marshall made his debut on the 27 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 five-eighth. 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 played 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.
The Wests Tigers went on to win the 2005 premiership against the
North Queensland Cowboys . Marshall then underwent surgery on his weak shoulder.In 2006, Marshall made his comeback from surgery against St George Illawarra but broke his cheek bone. He played the rest of the match and set up the winning try.
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 propCarl 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 missed the rest of the season.In 2007, Marshall made his comeback from injury against the Melbourne Storm in Round 1. Marshall has had to adapt to changes within the team such as the departure of Halfback, Scott Prince, and the added responsibility of goal kicking while Fullback, Brett Hodgson was recovering from a knee injury. In round 8, Marshall sustained a fractured shoulder in a tackle where his arm was jammed between Melbourne Player Israel Falou and Tigers Player Taniela Tuiaki.
In February 2008, Marshall extended his contract with the Wests Tigers by one year to include the 2009 season. [cite news|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Marshall extends his contract|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23179902-23214,00.html |accessdate=2008-02-08-|date=
2008-02-08 ]Marshall's streak of injury continued in the first game of the 2008 season, injured in the third minute of the match with a knee ligament tear. [cite news|author=By Liam Fitzgibbon|publisher="Fox Sports News (Australia)"|title=Benji injury sours Tigers win |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23384615-23214,00.html |accessdate=2008-03-16|date=
2008-03-16 ] He returned in round 7.International career
Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career [ [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/sport_story_skin/444213?format=html NZRL approaches Karmichael Hunt | LEAGUE | SPORT | tvnz.co.nz ] ] . In 2003 he was approached by the NZRL while he was playing with the Australian Schoolboys. Marshall made his New Zealand debut in the 2005
ANZAC Test .Marshall was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour. However, surgery on his shoulder in June ruled him out.
He has been named in the New Zealand training squad for the
2008 Rugby League World Cup .cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3949034,00.html|title=Kiwis select Sonny Bill|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2008-08-08|accessdate=2008-08-08]
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