Marshall Proud To Lead Nz Into Battle

Newcastle Herald

Saturday November 8, 2008

ROBERT DILLON RUGBY LEAGUE

NEW Zealand dynamo Benji Marshall returns to the scene of a recent triumph to make his international captaincy debut in tonight's World Cup rugby league showdown with England at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Appearing in only his sixth Test match, the 23-year-old Wests Tigers playmaker has been entrusted with the leadership reins after Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney decided to rest first-choice skipper Nathan Cayless.

Marshall last appeared at EAS on May 18, when he scored two tries one of them a sensational long-range effort to inspire the Tigers to a 38-26 win over the Knights.

The elusive five-eighth said leading his country would rate alongside the Tigers' 2005 grand final victory as a career milestone.

"It's probably one of the highest honours in my career,"' Marshall said yesterday.

"When I got told I was a bit surprised but at the same time happy.

"I never dreamed of it, especially being only 23, so I'm excited about it and can't wait to lead my country out."

He said there were "a few tears from the old lady" when he informed his family of his surprise promotion.

Marshall admitted he had not captained a side since his schoolboy days but considered he had leadership qualities.

"I'm not going to change much about the way I play," he said. "It's more so about leading by example."

Marshall has fond memories of playing at EAS and it appears there will be a healthy crowd in attendance tonight, because almost 14,000 tickets had been pre-sold by yesterday afternoon.

"I love playing up in Newcastle . . . it's always a good experience," he said.

"Hopefully we get a good turnout. There's a lot of Poms staying in our hotel I haven't seen too many Kiwis yet."

Coach Kearney said Marshall commanded respect among his teammates and was an obvious choice when it was decided to allow Cayless to rest a knee injury.

"It's a wonderful occasion for him, to be able to lead his country, and we feel he'll be able to show some real leadership," Kearney said.

"We've got some quality leaders in the group Jeremy Smith stands out but I just thought it was a great opportunity for Benji."

Asked whether the extra responsibility could help take Marshall's game to another level, Kearney replied: "Hope so, but we didn't do it with that in mind."

It remains to be seen whether Marshall will go head to head with England's most dangerous attacking weapon, St Helens star Leon Pryce, who is in doubt with a rib injury.

England held a closed training session last night and will not finalise their line-up until an hour before kick-off tonight.

But England coach Tony Smith appears likely to field all six members of his squad who are yet to appear in either of their two group matches so far.

Mick Higham will replace James Roby at hooker. Roby and St Helens teammates James Graham and Ade Gardner will be rested, ensuring Ben Westwood and Jamie Jones-Buchanan will play in the pack at some stage.

Lee Smith, Paul Sykes, Jamie Langley and Rob Purdham are also expected to be involved.

Smith said that he wanted his fringe players to challenge for selection in next week's semi-final line-up but also indicated he would take no chances with anyone carrying injuries.

"We're making sure fit and healthy people go out there," he said.

Marshall shrugged off fitness concerns of his own, namely a strained hamstring he suffered in last week's win against Papua New Guinea.

"I had a fitness test on Tuesday and passed with flying colours, so I'm ready to go," Marshall said.

Even though the result tonight will have little bearing on the tournament because both England and New Zealand are certain to do battle in the semi-final Marshall said there would be no lack of motivation.

"Any time you pull on a Test jumper, you're playing for your country, you're not just mucking around," he said. "We want to build some momentum going into the finals, so it would be good to get a win up this weekend."

Kearney predicted wounded pride would ensure England bounce back positively from their 52-4 loss to Australia last weekend.

"After last weekend's performance, they'll be very determined to improve this week and we're expecting their best," Kearney said.

"That's the way we've prepared."

Marshall said the Kiwis would not underestimate England, especially after Great Britain's 3-0 clean sweep of last year's series against New Zealand in the Old Dart.

"They're a good side, all around the park," Marshall said. "I think the score against Australia didn't reflect how well they played."

"'I never dreamed of it, especially being only 23, so I can't wait to lead my country out."

BENJI MARSHALL

ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND

Tonight 8pm, EnergyAustralia Stadium

TV: NBN from 8.30pm

TAB Sportsbet: New Zealand $1.65, England $2.20

ENGLAND NEW ZEALAND

Paul Wellens

Mark Calderwood

Martin Gleeson

Keith Senior

Lee Smith

Leon Pryce

Rob Burrow

Adrian Morley

Mick Higham

Jamie Peacock (c)

Gareth Hock

Gareth Ellis

Kevin Sinfield

INTERCHANGE

Danny McGuire

Jamie Langley

Ben Westwood

Rob Purdham

Jamie Jones-Buchanan

Paul Sykes

* Possible line-up

COACH

Tony Smith

Lance Hohaia

Jason Nightingale

Steve Matai

Jerome Ropati

Manu Vatuvei

Benji Marshall (c)

Thomas Leuluai

Adam Blair

Nathan Fien

Evarn Tuimavave

Simon Mannering

David Faalogo

Jeremy Smith

INTERCHANGE

Issac Luke

Greg Eastwood

Bronson Harrison

David Kidwell

COACH

Stephen Kearney

MATCH FACTS

England beat Papua New Guinea 32-22 then lost

to Australia 52-4.

New Zealand lost to Australia 30-6 then beat PNG 48-6.

England and New Zealand are likely to meet again

next week in the semi-finals.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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