Monday Morning Dummy Half: Benji and Kiwi Eels
Two rounds in and Benji Marshall has already proven to be one of the most influential #KiwiNRL players in the NRL, playing two different roles for the Rabbitohs. In losing to Melbourne Storm first up Marshall came off the bench as an extra play-maker to shift the footy around, while the round two win over Manly Sea Eagles saw Marshall step in for the injured Adam Reynolds and steer his team to victory.
Marshall has played 49 minutes and 40mins so far, while also tackling at 93.2 percent efficiency. Despite playing as a nimble forward in round one, Marshall defended out on an edge beside Reynolds and this past weekend Marshall was a straight swap for Reynolds. These are about as comfortable as Marshall could get for defensive positions, yet last season Marshall was highlighted with the Tigers for his defensive issues; Marshall made 12 tackle with no misses vs Sea Eagles.
Playing alongside Reynolds, Marshall stuck to his role. Replacing Reynolds saw Marshall take that role of the chief play-maker and not only did Marshall add his own attacking impetus to the halfback position vs Manly, he did what the kaumatua version of Benji does best in leading the team. Check this usage stats vs Sea Eagles...
Receipts/Passes/Kicks
Cody Walker: 28/19/5.
Benji Marshall: 37/25/8.
Marshall only played the second half and Walker played the whole game. This is an example of Marshall immediately taking control of the halfback position, epitomising the 'do your job' vibes. When Marshall opted to run, he was typically slick and in the lead up to a second half Damien Cook try (after Sea Eagles had scored to make it a contest) it was Marshall who isolated Martin Taupau and left him clutching...
As we know, Marshall can pass:
The undertone of these MMDH this season is the World Cup and right now, Marshall is a starting Aotearoa Kiwis half in my team. Shaun Johnson's out injured, Kieran Foran is still finding his fit with Sea Eagles and all the other halves are younger lads. I'd want Marshall locked in as a half, then I'm open to either Jahrome Hughes or Dylan Brown in a supporting role after two rounds. As Marshall stacks up solid contributions full of mana, he should be considered a certainty for Michael Maguire's Kiwis squad.
Speaking of Whangarei's Brown, this is a baseline to expect:
9 runs for 51m, 1 try assist, 1 offload, 42 tackles @ 95.5%.
Since entering the NRL, Brown has been among the best running and tackling halves in the NRL. Now Brown has shifted over to the right edge with Mitchell Moses moving to the left and the idea behind this for Eels coach Brad Arthur was to give Brown more time and space when kicking. Moses is the senior half and he's a better kicker, so he is better suited to the left edge where defenders have a shorter path to his right boot.
After two rounds, Brown's kicking metres have exploded.
2019: 58.53m
2020: 109.91m
2021: 197.40m.
After two rounds, Brown's running meteres have vanished.
2019: 79m.
2020: 116m.
2021: 65m.
I reckon the dip in running metres is due to adjusting to the new set up and hopefully Brown stays active as a kicker to ease the pressure on Moses, while building into his running game. Meanwhile Marata Niukore slotted in at centre for the Eels and was epic, playing his part in a hefty battle against Justin Olam and again showcasing his value. Keep in mind that Niukore has drifted between edge and middle duties, often serving as the most dynamic Eels middle forward on their bench and then he does a job at centre against Melbourne Storm.
Niukore was a centre as a youngster with Mangere East Hawks and NZ Warriors, before that shift to the forwards upon arriving at Parramatta. Niukore had 13 runs for 129m with 6 tackle busts and while he missed 4 tackles, much of this was part of the battle against Olam.
Isaiah Papali'i wasn't as dynamic as he was last week against Brisbane Broncos, then again the Storm middles are a bit different to the Broncos middles. Papali'i had 9 runs for 75m and had 43 tackles @ 95.6 percent, which was the most tackle of any Eels player other than hooker Reed Mahoney; Papali'i came off the bench, played 55mins and made the most tackles behind Mahoney.
Who was right there behind Niukore? Brown with 42 tackles, while Moses made 19.
Given that Brown has developed nicely, then Niukore has hit numerous nek levels since arriving and now Papali'i has found the funk with the Eels, I am eager to see Nate Roache work his way in. The Eels now have a trend of improving players or putting them in better positions and the next test for this is Roache.
Jordan Riki bounced back, but the Broncos couldn't.
80mins, 16 runs for 193m @ 12m/run, 5 tackle busts, 38 tackles @ 92.7%.
Ponder the Kiwis edge forward depth right now: Kenny Bromwich, Tohu Harris, Briton Nikora, Jordan Riki.
Trends...
Development.
Keep an eye on Sam Lisone and Erin Clark with Gold Coast Titans. Otara Scorpions junior Lisone has hit the 10m/run mark in two consecutive games and this will often fall through the cracks as the Titans have hotter forwards, although Lisone's role is to maintain the momentum laid down by the starting middle forwards and in averaging 10m/run it's perfect for what the Titans need.
Even better when Lisone has made 24 tackles across two games without a missed tackle.
Manurewa Marlins junior Clark is playing a mix of hooker and middle forward, doing his best work when stepping in for Mitch Rein at hooker. Clark scored a try and had a try assist vs Broncos as well as making 28 tackles @ 96.6 percent. Clark is as tough as he is skillful and I've got him down as someone to keep a low key eye on as the Titans start to settle into their new roster.
Peace and love.