Internationals Kiwis Vs Kangaroos - Oct 13 2012

[mode81]

Give the captaincy to someone else. Benjis got enough on his plate trying to weave some magic. Love to see a Johnson/Foran combo.

Yep I'd like to see Foran 6 and Johnson at 7, who would you recommend as captain mt.w? Mannering , Jeremy Smith?

 

[ToiletDuck]

What has Johnson done to deserve Benji's test jersey? Sure Benji hasn't set the world on fire recently, but he's been better than Johnson. And advocating a Johnson/Foran combo won't solve any of the problems the Benji/Foran combo currently has. The only reason I can see it as an attractive alternative is that we haven't seen them play together yet, and there's a bit of blind hope going on. Marshall may not be in the greatest form of his career, but he is well and truly proven at NRL and International level. Johnson has had 1 good half season of NRL football in 2011, followed by a thoroughly underwhelming followup season. They probably both need to evaluate where they're at over the off/pre-season, but Benji is the incumbent, and I've seen nothing from Shaun Johnson to make me believe he deserves a shot.

 

[mode81]

I saw more then enough of Johnson's ability at test level in the Anzac test earlier this year to suggest he's up to the task it's only one test to judge his merits but he's more then comfortable in that arena.

No doubt Marshall's the incumbent and all the rest of it but he doesn't set very good examples at club level by playing crap every week! A good captain is a player like Lockyer, Cameron Smith , Gallen, these guys play great league week in week out whether it's club or rep footy Marshall has been playing on reputation fumes for a long time.

 

[ToiletDuck]

I saw more then enough of Johnson's ability at test level in the Anzac test earlier this year to suggest he's up to the task it's only one test to judge his merits but he's more then comfortable in that arena.

No doubt Marshall's the incumbent and all the rest of it but he doesn't set very good examples at club level by playing crap every week! A good captain is a player like Lockyer, Cameron Smith , Gallen, these guys play great league week in week out whether it's club or rep footy Marshall has been playing on reputation fumes for a long time.

I thought that the general consensus post that Anzac test was that Johnson's highlight was his intercept try? The rest of the performance looked disjointed, a major criticism being his combo with Marshall - more speficially not knowing when to run and when to pass. I agreed with most of that criticism after that test (from memory). And I would still pick Marshall on rep fumes over picking Johnson on potential, when he's yet to even establish himself as a performer at NRL level.

 

[mode81]

I thought that the general consensus post that Anzac test was that Johnson's highlight was his intercept try? The rest of the performance looked disjointed, a major criticism being his combo with Marshall - more speficially not knowing when to run and when to pass. I agreed with most of that criticism after that test (from memory). And I would still pick Marshall on rep fumes over picking Johnson on potential, when he's yet to even establish himself as a performer at NRL level.

That may have been your take on it but I thought Johnson played maturely for his first test,intercept try aside he looked threatning when taking the line on, they may have been disjointed by the fact that Marshall crabbed sideways all game running his outsides out of space and not letting Johnson take a lead in attack more often?
this has alot to do with his seniority but he still could have utilised Johnson way more then he did. It's all well and good to back the incumbent knowing full well he'll be selected but how longer can he keep on playing like shit at NRL level then getting picked for The Kiwis? In my mind Johnson is established what more does he need to do play another year and a half? he's shown he can still play very well at club level despite being behind a soft forward pack not allowing him space and time. Marshall needs to reinvigorate his whole game he's becoming stale imo.

 

[Sup42]

Benji is every other halves bitch at club level too yet I find it rather strange that Johnson freezes when playing against him!

lololol good point !

 

[olek_skillgannon]

Yep I'd like to see Foran 6 and Johnson at 7, who would you recommend as captain mt.w? Mannering , Jeremy Smith?

johnsons a one season wonder..and people want benji to move benji aside in the kiwis for him?.....and mannering as kiwis captain LMAO he' cant even captain the warriors

 

[facefacts]

What has Johnson done to deserve Benji's test jersey? Sure Benji hasn't set the world on fire recently, but he's been better than Johnson. And advocating a Johnson/Foran combo won't solve any of the problems the Benji/Foran combo currently has. The only reason I can see it as an attractive alternative is that we haven't seen them play together yet, and there's a bit of blind hope going on. Marshall may not be in the greatest form of his career, but he is well and truly proven at NRL and International level. Johnson has had 1 good half season of NRL football in 2011, followed by a thoroughly underwhelming followup season. They probably both need to evaluate where they're at over the off/pre-season, but Benji is the incumbent, and I've seen nothing from Shaun Johnson to make me believe he deserves a shot.

While Marshall is the incumbent and has earn't a few more tests before talk of dropping him earn any credence....saying Johnson had an underwhelming year is pretty harsh, his efforts behind a underperforming team were very good in the grand scheme of things, and far far far better than Marshall's season. I think Foran needs to be worried about his place in the team, at 6 he's a non-event....iv'e always thought he suited 9 better.

 

[ToiletDuck]

While Marshall is the incumbent and has earn't a few more tests before talk of dropping him earn any credence....saying Johnson had an underwhelming year is pretty harsh, his efforts behind a underperforming team were very good in the grand scheme of things, and far far far better than Marshall's season. I think Foran needs to be worried about his place in the team, at 6 he's a non-event....iv'e always thought he suited 9 better.

Probably harsh on Johnson tbh. Overall, given the circumstances, he went alright. Though I still maintain that from a test selection POV, it'd be hard to justify dropping Marshall for Shaun Johnson based on Shaun Johnson's season with the Warriors. Marshall's form has been poor, but I still think he's someone that Kiwi team needs to beat Australia. Especially heading into the WC next year, I just can't see how dropping him will be beneficial. The Foran point is a good one, if either half is to lose his place, surely it's Foran. He's never really performed for the Kiwis, and some of those kicks on Saturday night were awful. Either way I think all 3 need to be in the mix heading into WC year, because it's daylight between those 3 and the next cab off the rank.

 

[mode81]

johnsons a one season wonder..and people want benji to move benji aside in the kiwis for him?.....and mannering as kiwis captain LMAO he' cant even captain the warriors

Wow really? thank goodness only you think that! People don't actually want Benji to move aside we just want an alternative replacement when his form doesn't warrant selection until he regains his mojo. And yes Mannering can captain The Warriors we were only in a grand final last season so he can't be that bad can he.. LMAO

 

[Tribe Chief]

Benji really worries me most probably the 2010 4N Final was the last time Benji had a decent game in the Kiwis jersey if I remember correct? Benji's NRL form in recent times has also been far from acceptable his position in the Kiwis team and captaincy has to come under serious scrutiny if you ask me.

I'm starting to wonder because of his celeb status in Oz that he's always going to be one of the first chosen for The Kiwis even if his form doesn't warrant selection this is not right.

I still think Marshall and Foran are out of sync as a halves combo I'd put Johnson at 7 he's the most dangerous half we have when in a confident mood and offers far more on attack. I'm over Foran and Marshall as our halves if they can't gel after all these chances then they never will! Foran would be better off in Taylor's role coming off the bench as a dummy half and midfield defender.

I like Foran, he had an off game that night, but historically he’s the top gun and I know he will come good, I’ve always said he should be captain of the kiwis as number 7 or 6, he's not afraid to tackle and take the line on each for 80min week in week out, But Benji he dances sideways and ends up confusing even his own players with his moves........enough is enough........he's so overrated its ridiculous......Marshall should of stood up in this game and we should of won it comfortably, but he did not.

Foran is the man for the job not Marshall and if Kearney doesn’t see it, then his status as the kiwi coach is questionable.

 

[mt.wellington]

Yep I'd like to see Foran 6 and Johnson at 7, who would you recommend as captain mt.w? Mannering , Jeremy Smith?

At the moment it could only be out of those two for captain. There are some future potential in the team but thats awhile away yet, theyre still young.