Benji Marshall's parting gift to Wests Tigers young gun Tim Simona

BENJI Marshall may be long gone but he did leave one parting gift to the Wests Tigers and Tim Simona was the recipient.

Tim Simona of the Wests Tigers, at Concord Oval. pic mark evans

BENJI Marshall may be long gone but he did leave one parting gift to the Wests Tigers and rising star Tim Simona was the recipient.

While the enigmatic rugby convert is renowned for his flashy passes and signature side step, what the five-eighth passed on is the last thing any of us would expect.

Despite often being referred to as a liability in defence, Simona revealed it was Marshall who taught him to defend at the elite level.

"When I came up to first grade, I didn't know how to make decisions in defence and (Benji) taught me how to get up square and follow up what my backrower does," Simona explained.

"He has taught me heaps … Every year he gets picked on about his defence and what people don't know is he works on off days on his defence and he brings it down to me and teaches me. It's good to learn off someone with his experience."

Xavier Brown, Jamaican Sprint Coach, right, coaching Tim Simona of the wests Tigers, at concord Oval. pic mark evans

Since making his first grade debut in 2011, it wasn't until last season that the Auckland native really made an impact on the competition.

While he mixed up his time between centre and wing - spending more time on the flank where he produced some freakish displays - he is eager to step closer into the action.

Blake Ayshford's departure to Cronulla opens up a place in the centres - a position Simona wants to make his own.

"To be honest, I don't really mind (where I play). I sort of prefer centre but I like playing wing as well so I don't really mind what position I play," he said.

"I'm confident because I've been playing centre for a while and when he puts me on the wing I already know what to do because I've been playing there as well. I'm confident of either position.

"My goal is to get a starting spot and try to cement it for the rest of the year."

Tim Simona celebrates a try.

SIMONA'S TOUGHEST CALL

ON the back of what was a breakout season for Tim Simona it was not long before the 22-year-old was faced with the toughest decision of his career.

Having been selected for New Zealand's World Cup squad late last year, Simona made the heartbreaking decision to forego selection in order to have a reconstruction on his left shoulder and be available for round one selection.

"Ever since I was a kid I've always wanted to perform the haka in front of thousands," Simona said. "At the end of the day I thought I chose the right decision for my playing future. I could've done my shoulder during the World Cup and I could've missed the whole season so at the end of the day I put my shoulder first and I think I made the right choice."

Back row- Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Tim Simona, Mitchell Moses, James Tedesco Front row - Luke Brooks, David Nofoaluma, Curtis Sironen the West Tigers Young Guns at Concrod Oval.

Tipping the scales at 90 kilos, Simona is looking to add a few pounds to his frame but will not resume contact work until February.

Expecting Luke Brooks and Braith Anasta to start the season as the Tigers' halves, Simona says despite experiencing a difficult 2013, the club and its players are better for the experience.

"When we were losing games (I learnt to) just keep fighting," he said.

"I know last year we went through a lot of tough times and it's something I think the young boys will take on board and play better."