Benji Marshall’s sympathy for Josh Reynolds after Bulldogs move ruled out
It is a feeling Benji Marshall can appreciate, when his career seemed to be faltering - and now Josh Reynolds must find his own way out of his “tough spot” at Wests Tigers.
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Benji Marshall concedes Josh Reynolds, the man who wants his No.6 jersey, is now in a “tough spot” at Wests Tigers - likening the situation to his own 2017 season with Brisbane Broncos.
After weeks of speculation linking Reynolds to Canterbury homecoming, Marshall has revealed the 31-year-old utility will now be staying at Tigers where he is on $800,000 but no guarantee of playing regularly at five-eighth, hooker or utility.
Marshall said the situation was similar to his own career three years back, when seemingly unwanted in the NRL he was saved from retirement by then Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.
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Signed to a one-year deal, Marshall played 13 games for the Broncos in 2017, often coming off the bench or covering for injured players or those away on representative duty.
From there, however, one of rugby league’s most recognised players has since re-signed with his beloved Wests Tigers, regained the No.6 jersey, returned to Test football with New Zealand and is now the game’s oldest player not named Cameron Smith.
Asked about the recent headlines surround Reynolds and a proposed Belmore homecoming, Marshall said: “He’s staying and I have to give full credit to Josh, just his team ethic.
“He never kicks stones, never throws tantrums or blows up. He could be more self-obsessed and go the other way, but he hasn’t. And you have to give him credit for that because it’s a tough position.”
Marshall likened the situation to his own year with the Broncos, when he had considered retirement, continuing: “It’s a tough spot to be in.
“I was in that spot at Brisbane but the way Josh has got on with it, the way he’s been professional with training, he wants what is best for the team.”
Apart from praising Reynolds, Marshall also confirmed himself a fan of the new ‘six again’ rule introduced by ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.
Back in 2012, Marshall captained the NRL All Stars in a game where the rule was trialled – making him one of the few current players who understands, first hand, how best to make it work.
The Tigers playmaker revealed he and coach Michael Maguire have spent plenty of time discussing how the new rule will likely play out and impact different teams under one referee.
“I enjoyed the rule,” Marshall said of its use in All Stars.
“Because my game revolves around attack, the more pressure you can put on the opposition with the ball the more it contributes to winning games.
“I feel that rule can really suit the smaller guys and halves. I think it will create a lot of fatigue, especially around the ruck.
“So I feel for the smaller guys there is going to be a lot of joy in and around the ruck.
“We’ve seen teams with a lot of shift plays but I think we’re going to see a lot more players playing in and around the ruck. And from a halves point of view, that’s beautiful, we love that stuff.”
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Marshall also agreed with V’landys’ claim that the new rule would help eliminate wrestling tactics from the game.
“I think it will create more fatigue which will create quicker player the balls,” he said.
“One referee isn’t going to make the ruck quicker but the six again rule will for sure, because it means more fatigue. More tired players. And so the more room and more space you can have around the ruck.
“I think we’ll learn early on to what the benchmark is, what the standard is going to be. We will find out quickly how much time we’re going to have.”
Marshall also said he had no problem with the rule being introduced with two rounds of the season already played.