Raiders put leash on Benji
HE'S THE world's best player and the one every opposition team aims to shut down.
Having plans to stop Benji Marshall is one thing.
Actually curtailing the Wests Tigers dynamo is another beast completely.
The New Zealand skipper is in career-best form ahead of today's visit to Canberra Stadium.
The Raiders should be sick of the sight of the talented five-eighth running rampant.
Marshall orchestrated both of the Tigers' two victories in Canberra last year the first a stunning second-half fightback followed by a gripping semi-final triumph.
Even rival players can't help but stand back and admire his freakish talents.
''Normally when he's setting up a try you walk back, that's when you start having a look in awe,'' Raiders second-rower Bronson Harrison said.
''He's in great form, he's a great player, he's got the Golden Boot.
''His stats will reflect how good he's going.
''He's had the shoulder reconstruction and all the pressure that he's got and turned them into a positive.''
Harrison knows Marshall's game better than most.
The pair were flatmates during Harrison's time at the Tigers.
He's seen the extra attention both on and off the field that Marshall receives.
Marshall made headlines for all the wrong reasons in March when he was accused of assaulting a member of the public during a late-night scuffle at a McDonald's in Sydney.
The case will return to court next month.
Fears those distractions would impact on Marshall's on-field performance were quickly quashed with a standout display against the Raiders in round three.
The whole bag of tricks were in effect.
Flick passes, running at the line, deft kicking all the elements which had Marshall acclaimed as the premier player in the world last year.
Marshall's impact on the international scene is just as impressive.
To prove New Zealand's victory in the 2008 World Cup was no fluke, Marshall led the Kiwis to a Four Nations success last year.
It's easy to forget Marshall is in his eighth season of first-grade, yet is only 25.
His best years are still to come as Harrison a teammate of Marshall's in the New Zealand side can attest to.
''He's a very good captain, he has the respect of everyone for what he's accomplished and the way that he's gone about it,'' Harrison said.
''He's very good with communication.
''He lets you know where you have to be.
''It's sometimes a little bit breathtaking some of the stuff that he does.
''He just creates something out of nothing.''
It's little wonder then that with Marshall calling the shots, the Tigers have won their past six games against the Raiders.
It's a winning run that stretches back to 2008.
The Tigers are more than a one-man army.
Crafty hooker Robbie Farah is also instrumental in picking holes in the opposition defence.
His combination with Marshall is one of the best halfback/dummy partnerships in the game.
''Our main focus isn't going to be all around Benji,'' Harrison said.
''It will be on ourselves.
''If we get a decent amount of possession hopefully we can get the win.
''Their ability to attack from any part of the field is tough to control.
''They move you around and you don't really have much opportunity to rest.
''You have to be on your game.''
Raiders captain Alan Tongue said his side could come unstuck if it solely put all its energies into shutting down Marshall.
''He's the sort of guy who you need to get up into his face, but you can't spook him too much,'' Tongue said.
''He's got some great footwork.
''Just as much as Robert Lui on the other side of the field, he's pretty exciting and creates a fair bit for them, and Robbie Farah in the middle of the ruck. So there's a few guys we have to keep an eye on.''
Source: Canberra Times
Topic: Raiders put leash on Benji
