Benjamin!!

[bubblesunlimited]

Benji's recovery 'ahead of schedule'

Benji Marshall's chances of playing in next month's Centenary Test against Australia improved today with Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens claiming the injured pivot's recovery was ahead of schedule.

While determined not to rush the injury-prone playmaker back too early, Sheens admitted Marshall was likely to return from a knee injury ahead of the initial round 11 estimate.

The 23-year-old took part in some of the Tigers training session in Sydney today, and while he is rated no chance of playing against Canberra this weekend, his return does appear imminent.

Marshall damaged the posterior cruciate ligament just five minutes into his side's 24-16 season opening win over St George Illawarra and was originally slated to return in the May 25 clash against Gold Coast at Leichhardt Oval.

"We are hoping he'll be back earlier," Sheens said.

"He's working well but there's no way we're going to take a risk with it, we want him healthy.

"But he's doing a lot of good things, he's already running around and there's no limp and there's no swelling ... I'd like to think it would be a bit earlier but I wouldn't put a time on it."

Form Marshall to play the May 9 trans-Tasman Test at the SCG, he would have to appear for the Tigers in their round eight clash against Brisbane on May 3.

Incoming New Zealand Test coach Stephen Kearney said it would be unfair to throw Marshall straight into Test football without an NRL match under his belt.

Injuries have limited Marshall to just three appearances in the black and white of the Kiwis since making his Test debut in 2005.

We are hoping he'll be back earlier...

 

[smeghead]

Sorry but am I the only one not overly chuffed with the idea of Marshall playing a test match after possibly only playing one club games back.

Seems way too big a risk

 

[Tiger Hawk]

^^ Agreed. I don't want him rushed back either.

 

[themanonthehill]

Next week might be just too early
Cronulla we'll see him back
Anyone who saw him in the warm up v canterbury will know this is no surprise

 

[smeghead]

Knees are a funny injury though.

Everything can be fine but the slightest anomally can put you right back to the beginning of rehab if you are bought back too early

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I'd say two weeks should be a rough estimate.

For Souffs next week, we should have Head and Moltzen in the halves. Benji and Head a week later. Heres hoping.

 

[chopsy_05]

Yeah don't want benji on that hard cricket pitch at the SCG. Bring on Cronulla

 

[madunit]

tbh, I think Kiwi selectors would be stupid to pick him anyway.

Bugger all game time, and he'll be a bit tentative when coming back from injury again, so he's not going to be that big an impact too early.

If I were a selector, I'd bring him in for the World Cup and not a chance beforehand. Give him a chance to prove himself first. Kiwi's are very weak in the halves and should try some new guy out, help create a bit of depth.

 

[Adman]

man i still think it's going to be a big year for him.

 

[madunit]

It has to be if we are to be top 12 contenders.

 

[Marshall_magic]

give him round 5, 6 and 7 off, round 8 bring him back if he's ready. It's far too early in the season to risk him again, and we saw what happened when he was brought back to early last year.

 

[alien]

I think it would be a bit of an insult to the other kiwi players that could play in the halves if Benji is in the team after only playing 1 game this year.

 

[hybrid_tiger]

I think it would be a bit of an insult to the other kiwi players that could play in the halves if Benji is in the team after only playing 1 game this year.

It's not like they have anyone better.