Guys have a read of this story too
From classroom to scrumbase
By Dean Ritchie
August 21, 2003
THE Wests Tigers have granted schoolboy star Benji Marshall unprecedented dispensation to have just one training session before Saturday's match against competition heavyweights Penrith.
Marshall, 18, will continue his HSC studies at the Gold Coast's Keebra Park High School until this afternoon.
Tomorrow he will fly to Sydney for his only training run before Saturday's match at Penrith Football Stadium.
It is a remarkable show of confidence in Marshall - who has played just two NRL matches - by Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens.
"It's amazing to have your playmaker away for most of the week - and he's only a schoolboy," former Test captain Laurie Daley said.
"I suppose it shows just how much time and confidence they have for this kid considering he'll only be having one day and one session in Sydney before the game.
"But from all accounts Benji is a huge prospect."
Marshall has been chosen at halfback and will face in-form Penrith captain Craig Gower. Marshall may be shifted to fullback in defence.
Sheens has substituted other players at halfback during the week at training.
New Zealand-born Marshall, touted as the game's next superstar, continues a long tradition of schoolboy first graders including Brad Fittler and Peter Sterling.
"In a perfect world we would love to have him here for more sessions," Wests Tigers chief executive Steve Noyce said.
"But Tim has confidence Benji can handle the game with only one training session.
"He has as much talent as any youngster in the club - and Benji has great maturity for an 18-year-old."
Penrith coach John Lang said Marshall's absence this week would not concern Sheens.
"It's not your standard preparation but you only do the HSC once," Lang said. "I don't think [his absence] is a crucial thing. [Tigers five-eighth] Daniel Fitzhenry is the main playmaker.
"But he [Marshall] is a kid with plenty of confidence."
Wests Tigers management is aware the club must allow Marshall time away from rugby league to complete his studies. "We want to give him every chance to do well in his HSC," Noyce said.
"The plan was to not bring him down to play again this year but with Lincoln Withers pulling a hamstring against Souths and the kid playing Premier League for Wests getting injured, Benji came into calculations.
"The guys respect him as a footballer. Benji has confidence in himself but is by no means a smart arse."
Marshall made his NRL debut for Wests Tigers against Newcastle at Campbelltown in round 20.
He did not play for the next two weeks but returned to the NRL in round 23 against Brisbane. The Tigers won both those games.
"He's as good a young kid - potential wise - that I have seen for a while," said former Tigers champion Wayne Pearce.
"But he'll have to keep focused and show his hunger and discipline.
"There will be a lot of temptations for a young kid at that age.
"But he certainly has the confidence and ability to make it."
Marshall knew little of rugby league before a school excursion from New Zealand's Bay of Plenty to the Gold Coast in 2001.
While on tour, Marshall asked to play with Keebra Park and earned a school scholarship which offers a rugby league sports program.
Last year Keebra and Wests Tigers formed an affiliation and Marshall was signed until the end of 2005.
The Daily Telegraph
