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WESTS TIGERS coach Tim Sheens has warned New Zealand about picking an underdone Benji Marshall for the Centenary Test.
On the eve of his long-awaited comeback from his latest shoulder injury, the gifted playmaker spoke about his desire to play for the Kiwis on May 9.
But after playing only 25 games for the Tigers since the beginning of 2006, Sheens cautioned his $350,000 a year investment may not be ready for the vigours of Test football.
"I am not going to stand in anyone's way to play Test football," Sheens said.
"As long as he is prepared. If he plays two games then he will probably be close.
"But I think last year they played him and he was a bit underdone and they paid the price for it. I don't think he played well and he would agree with that.
"I'm not sure how many games he had but he was coming back from a shoulder injury and he wasn't confident."
Sheens will today name Marshall in his side to play the Sharks at Toyota Park on Sunday.
Matthew Head is understood to be the player who will miss out with John Morris retaining his spot in the halves.
"I am not going to speculate on who misses out," Sheens said. "But if I have to make a decision then I will.
"Everyone has to be passed fit before I make that decision. I think Benji will be right and we have Cronulla and Brisbane so it will be a pretty big Test for him."
But the jubilation of Marshall's return will be tempered for Tigers fans with star hooker Robbie Farah likely to miss another week.
"No I don't think he will play," Sheens said. "He is going to see a specialist. I might name him, but we have to have a look at him on Wednesday.
"I think Robbie is a bit behind Benji. It could well be the week after. You don't want to rush players like that because it is a long season.
"We have only played six rounds and there is a lot of footy to play yet. I'd rather have him and Benji back, healthy and playing at 100 percent, not come back and have it backfire on you."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,23575460-5003409,00.html
On the eve of his long-awaited comeback from his latest shoulder injury, the gifted playmaker spoke about his desire to play for the Kiwis on May 9.
But after playing only 25 games for the Tigers since the beginning of 2006, Sheens cautioned his $350,000 a year investment may not be ready for the vigours of Test football.
"I am not going to stand in anyone's way to play Test football," Sheens said.
"As long as he is prepared. If he plays two games then he will probably be close.
"But I think last year they played him and he was a bit underdone and they paid the price for it. I don't think he played well and he would agree with that.
"I'm not sure how many games he had but he was coming back from a shoulder injury and he wasn't confident."
Sheens will today name Marshall in his side to play the Sharks at Toyota Park on Sunday.
Matthew Head is understood to be the player who will miss out with John Morris retaining his spot in the halves.
"I am not going to speculate on who misses out," Sheens said. "But if I have to make a decision then I will.
"Everyone has to be passed fit before I make that decision. I think Benji will be right and we have Cronulla and Brisbane so it will be a pretty big Test for him."
But the jubilation of Marshall's return will be tempered for Tigers fans with star hooker Robbie Farah likely to miss another week.
"No I don't think he will play," Sheens said. "He is going to see a specialist. I might name him, but we have to have a look at him on Wednesday.
"I think Robbie is a bit behind Benji. It could well be the week after. You don't want to rush players like that because it is a long season.
"We have only played six rounds and there is a lot of footy to play yet. I'd rather have him and Benji back, healthy and playing at 100 percent, not come back and have it backfire on you."
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,23575460-5003409,00.html
