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Round 2 line-up vs Tigers

N

nrlnrl

First Grade
Messages
6,888
Benji might be captain against the Tigers & Mata'utia could be fullback


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...8940400?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

TWO years ago, it would have seemed inconceivable.

Benji Marshall, leading a rival team out against the Wests Tigers, as captain.

But in a twist of sporting fate, The Daily Telegraph has learned Marshall is under consideration to take over the St George Illawarra captaincy, against his former club at Campbelltown Sports Ground on Monday night.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that club captain Ben Creagh has suffered a back injury which will keep him sidelined for at least the next month of football. And with NSW State of Origin fullback Josh Dugan also resigned to being unavailable for the next fortnight with a foot injury, the Dragons are suddenly void of experienced leaders.

Enter Marshall.

While Dragons coach Paul McGregor continues to weigh up his options — including choosing five-eighth Gareth Widdop over Marshall, or selecting both as co-captains — the prospect of the born-again Dragons half-back leading the famous Red-V out against the club he once played 201 first-grade games for, is a fairytale not even the 30-year-old would ever have imagined.

Leading the Tigers was a personal milestone Marshall achieved on only 17 occasions during his 12-year career. Marshall joined the Dragons last May after a failed stint with Super 15 Rugby union club the Auckland Blues. And his last match for the Tigers was in round 26, September 7 2013. Now he will be responsible for plotting their downfall.

Making McGregor’s decision less complicated is the knowledge that the former Golden Boot winner has the support of the NRL playing group.
Such is the belief in Marshall’s leadership qualities within the Dragons squad, it was during a pre-season team meeting that he was nominated by his peers as a successor to Creagh for the captaincy.

That moment has come, with Creagh suffering a back injury when performing a tackle in the final stages of last Monday night’s 12-4 loss to the Melbourne Storm. The injury couldn’t come at a worse time for the no-nonsense Creagh, who is off-contract and determined to play-on in 2016. Wisely, Dragons officials have so far been prepared to take a ‘wait and see’ approach in regards to the veteran forward’s future.

Creagh’s omission on Monday night is likely to result in the promotion of Penrith-bound forward Trent Merrin from the interchange bench to the starting line-up. Rising star Peter Mata’utia is earmarked to replace Dugan in the no1 jumper against a Tigers outfit, full of confidence following their gutsy one-point win over the Gold Coast Titans in round one.
 
blacksafake

blacksafake

First Grade
Messages
9,639
I can live with this,I seem to remember when he captained the tigers he lead from the front. I also think the responsibility sits well with him.
 
southslavia

southslavia

Juniors
Messages
28
Peter M in for injured Dugan, Merrin at lock for injured Creagh, L'Estrange makes the 17 and Nightingale to captain side. We can all stop bitching now


St George Illawarra Dragons winger Jason Nightingale has been named captain for the fixture against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium on Monday.

The local Renown United junior will lead the team this match in the absence of Ben Creagh who has been sidelined with a lower back injury for at least the next four weeks.

Nightingale, 28, is proud to have been bestowed the honour by Head Coach Paul McGregor but admits he wishes the circumstances had been different.

“It is an honour to have been named captain for the game against Wests Tigers in the absence of Ben who is currently rehabilitating from injury,” said Nightingale.

“I have been with the Club for many years and as a local junior it’s been my dream to someday lead the team.

“I am blessed with this chance and will make sure to do my best in the absence of Ben who unfortunately is sidelined with injury.

“I cannot wait to see him get back on to the field.”

(dragons website)
 
Slippery Morris

Slippery Morris

First Grade
Messages
7,895
This is the perfect game to blood Aitken and give Runciman another crack against a young Tigers outfit.

If I was Mary I would be picking the squad based on the opposition and seeing they have Tigers then Raiders no better chance than giving these 2 boys a crack to see what they have. He can pick Nielsen and Farrell against the more experienced sides like Dogs and the Storm which he did in Rd1. I can understand why he picked them against the Storm. It was Price like selection that is going for experience and a safety choice and not throwing any caution to the wind. Pretty frustrating and hence why Price was sacked.
 
G

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
34,330
Former Wests Tigers star Benji Marshall says he now feels St George through and through now

By Paul Haigh

March 14, 2015, 6:30 a.m.



A relaxed Benji Marshall says he won't have any dramas emotionally playing against his original club, Wests Tigers, for a second time in his career next Monday at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
"I feel St George through and through now," he said.
Marshall played against the Wests Tigers for the first time in July last year at ANZ Stadium.
However, this will be his first visit to Campbelltown in a red and white jersey.
The 30-year-old Kiwi Test star admitted it was a tough week emotionally before last year's game.
"It was emotional for me," he said.
"I feel more at home now at the Dragons."
Marshall said when he quit the Tigers to join rugby union and the Auckland Blues, before returning to the NRL last May, with the Dragons, he wouldn't play against his former club.
Marshall played with the Tigers from 2003 until the end of 2013, after rejecting the club's contract offer.
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He won a grand final in 2005 with the Tigers, the club's first and only NRL premiership, under coach Tim Sheens.
Now, in his second season with the St George Illawarra Dragons, the halfback said he is looking forward to Monday's clash.
"I feel more at home now," Marshall said.
The halfback is nursing a sore left leg after he being tackled mid-air by Melbourne's Felise Kaufusi, in Monday night's 12-4 loss against Melbourne Storm.


http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2916818/dragons-team-has-youth-and-experience/

http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2938570/benji-happy-to-take-on-his-old-team/?cs=1633
 
possm

possm

Coach
Messages
15,959
Get2dachopper! said:
Lets hope Mata'utia to fullback, le'Strange on the bench, Runciman left centre.
Click to expand...

This would be a good step in the right direction however, it won't do anything for the defensive problems on our right edge. Benji and Farrell are a bad mix.

I'd like to see Farrell replaced by Aitken.
 
T

Twenty10

Juniors
Messages
1,616
Runciman shouldn't be anywhere near first grade. Where the f**k is Aitken?? Any other club would blood him now... Dragons are notoriously soft and bad at making these calls.
 
S

Saints Forever

Bench
Messages
3,920
Must disagree with you Twenty10.

Runciman is a talent and Saints would be better off blooding both Aitken, Mata'utia and Runciman whilst using Farrell and Neilsen as reserve backs.

Farrell has reached his full capacity, Neilsen is on the slippery slide.

Dugan has to play full back to justify his salary.

Nabuli brings a physical presence that could make a difference.

If we get the mix right in the backs, we will have speed and enthusiasm in attack and defence.
 
G

Get2dachopper!

Juniors
Messages
1,691
Saints Forever said:
Must disagree with you Twenty10.

Runciman is a talent and Saints would be better off blooding both Aitken, Mata'utia and Runciman whilst using Farrell and Neilsen as reserve backs.

Farrell has reached his full capacity, Neilsen is on the slippery slide.

Dugan has to play full back to justify his salary.

Nabuli brings a physical presence that could make a difference.

If we get the mix right in the backs, we will have speed and enthusiasm in attack and defence.
Click to expand...


Well, that's exactly what you would do if you were a coach planning for the next 3-5 years ala Penrith..........Lets see if Mary is. Lets hope he is not like Price. Remember when he picked Fein for the entire full 26 rounds at 7 even though the season was gone by round 12? :lol:
 
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