benji marshall not playing in the RLWC??? o_O

Mealamu excited about Benji, despite typical forward's outlook

All Blacks and Blues hooker Keven Mealamu is the first playing member of Sir John Kirwan’s squad who has admitted that there is plenty of excitement around Auckland as a man once regarded as the best rugby league player on the planet announced his signing this morning.

The Blues made the news official today as former West Tiger and Kiwi league international Benji Marshall committed to rugby union, and at the same time effectively severed all ties with the 13-man code.

There was some lingering hope that Marshall would sign off his league career by taking part in the Kiwi’s World Cup defence later this year, but the commitment to union is complete, with suggestions that Benji will suit up during the ITM Cup to immediately begin his rugby education.

Marshall will complete his league commitments, assuming he is selected for the West Tigers, on September 7 against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Sir John Kirwan said he would be wary about rushing Marshall directly into the ITM Cup, citing the need for some rest after a long season, although Auckland coach Wayne Pivac has confirmed that there is ‘a spot’ for the convert on his roster.

Mealamu, who could wear the captain’s armband for the Blues next season in the absence of Ali Williams, told Fairfax Media there was plenty of good vibes hovering around the World Champion’s squad, who had a hit out at Hutt Recreation Ground last night.

“There is a lot of excitement around, especially among the Blues boys here,” the All Blacks centurion said.

“I think we are all excited to have him come on board. We're looking forward to catching up and we can't wait to see him. I've watched a lot of him play over the years and always been a big fan so getting an opportunity to play alongside him will be pretty special.”

From there the affable Mealamu towed the forward’s party line, saying that ultimately wherever Marshall was wouldn’t alter his own role.

“For us (up front) it’s always our job to just provide the platform,” he said.

“No matter who it is, our job never changes.”

“I'm not a coach, so I don't really know where he'd play. I suppose he slots in anywhere in that backline.”

WTF???

i for one hope there is no truth to this story, were going to need all our top dogs come the RLWC and that includes marhsall.
no doubt the kangaroos will be desrved favourites, but our top kiwi team can hold more then hold their own against them, i just hope kearney dosent get all league over union gung ho and decide not to pick marshall, cos i dont beleive that marshall wouldnt be interested in signing out on the RLWC stage,,,,,,then again, he could do what not even darren lokyear could do, leave leage as a RLWC champion.

still our top kiwi team,,,
1 k locke, 2 j nightingale, 3 j ropati, 4 k hurrel, 5 m vatuvei, 6 b marshall, 7 s s johnson,
8 j bromwhich, 9 i luke, 10 w hargraves, 11 b matulino, 12 SBW, 13 k foran
14 l brown, 15 a glenn, 16 f pritchard, 17 k proctor
enough power, but speed and mobility is the key to my top kwi team.

@mikey,

already posted on the othe rmarshall article my thouyghts on where benji should play, prettu much agree with ur blues flyhalf assesment,, though kerr was alright the few times he did get some decnet game time.
not sold on marshall at 12 one bit, willison should be the incumbent easy, not just cos of past rep either, but because he preformed well there in every game.
i can understand him taking a backseat to saili and ranger though, but saili didnt get it all his way and now that ranger is gone, the blues midfiled combo is IMO even more settled, the only thing kirwan can do now to screw that up is go and put marshall in there.

not sure on nonu though, but according to an article pimatey posted, highlanders looks set to be his 2014 home.

@mikey,

already posted on the othe rmarshall article my thouyghts on where benji should play, prettu much agree with ur blues flyhalf assesment,, though kerr was alright the few times he did get some decnet game time.
not sold on marshall at 12 one bit, willison should be the incumbent easy, not just cos of past rep either, but because he preformed well there in every game.
i can understand him taking a backseat to saili and ranger though, but saili didnt get it all his way and now that ranger is gone, the blues midfiled combo is IMO even more settled, the only thing kirwan can do now to screw that up is go and put marshall in there.

not sure on nonu though, but according to an article pimatey posted, highlanders looks set to be his 2014 home.

@mikey,

u must have missed the article on nonu i posted last week, there was no pressure from hansen on jospeh at all, in fact there was no pressure from hansen on anybody at all on any spXV team, otherwise nonu would be playing at the hurricanes.

the article i mentioned had jospeh singing nonus praises and saying that he already offered a contract to nonu, but nonu was very keen on returning home to wellington, which is more of a home to him then that chch cockhead hammet.

personally i think plumtree should apply for the hurricanes job in 2015.