Benji Marshall backs halves partner Luke Brooks for State of Origin glory
BENJI Marshall has given Luke Brooks the seal of approval as the Blues new Origin halfback, saying the reborn Tiger is a totally different player to what he once was.
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LUKE Brooks was fronting a Concord Oval media scrum early Tuesday morning when, from somewhere up the players tunnel, a chant slowly rose.
New South Wales ... New South Wales ... New South Wales ...
And so, everyone turned.
Eventually, Wests Tigers megastar Benji Marshall emerging from the shadows to direct his gaze — along with his continuing Blues chant — at a visibly embarrassed halves partner.
Only this was no joke.
Indeed, speaking with The Daily Telegraph soon after, Marshall insisted Brooks was ready to wear the NSW No. 7 jersey — the same one that has shadowed him since his famed SCG debut five years ago.
Apart from leading the Dally M medal race, Marshall said Brooks also had both the running game and “Origin toughness” needed to edge out potential rivals like Mitchell Pearce, Luke Keary and Blake Green.
“So I certainly hope Brooksy gets the call up,” Marshall said. “I’m no NSW selector, but the way most players are picked is on the back of success.
“It’s why everyone is talking about the guys from St George Illawarra at the moment, because they’re going so well.
“And here at Wests Tigers, Brooksy is our leader.
“At 23, driving this team around the park.
“He’s one of the major reasons why we’ve won five from six so I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be there”.
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Marshall added that Brooks was also definitely tough enough for the Origin arena, stressing he had overcome any perceived defensive weaknesses of past seasons.
According to Fox Sports Statistics, the 89kg Tiger still sits equal sixth for missed tackles among NRL halves, alongside Dragons star Ben Hunt.
However, the Tigers playmaker is not only missing fewer tackles than ever before in 2018, but also less than half the number of Penrith rival James Maloney, who is a lock for one of two NSW halves spots.
“So Luke Brooks is definitely tough enough,” Marshall said.
“His defence this season, it’s the best I’ve ever seen from him.
“I actually believe what he’s doing in defence is inspiring our side even more than his attack. You look at the way he puts his body on the line, he’s just so solid.
“I know in the past critics have often talk about his defence (issues). But they aren’t talking now.”
Given he was once talked up as the next Andrew Johns, Brooks himself is wary of getting too caught up in the Origin hype.
“I find all the talk a bit weird to be honest,” he said.
“Obviously at the start of my career there was a fair bit of talk about me. And with my personality, I found that uncomfortable.
“So I’m not trying to think too much about Origin at all.
“Over the years I’ve learned a lot about myself and a lot about the game. So I’ll just try to keep my focus on Wests Tigers.”