Benji Marshall

Benjamin Quentin Marshall (born 25 February 1985) is a New Zealand professional rugby league coach and former player who is the head coach of the Wests Tigers in the NRL.

He played at or for the Wests Tigers in two separate spells, St. George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League (NRL), and at representative level for the NRL All Stars and New Zealand Kiwis.

Marshall was also briefly a professional rugby union player with the Blues in Super Rugby.

While in high school in Australia, Marshall played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2003, and also represented Australia in touch football that same year.

Although eligible to represent Australia, Marshall declared his allegiance to the New Zealand Kiwis early in his career.

The start of his career riddled by injuries (2003-04)

In Round 20 of the 2003 NRL season, Marshall made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers against the Newcastle Knights, coming on as a replacement in the 14th minute as.

The Wests Tigers won the match 52–12 at Campbelltown Stadium.

Marshall continued to make appearances for Wests Tigers for the remainder of 2003 when his studies allowed, playing halfback.

In Round 24 against the Penrith Panthers, Marshall scored his first NRL try in the Tigers 44–28 loss at Penrith Stadium.

He scored one try from four appearances in his debut season.

In 2004, Marshall starred in the pre-season World Sevens competition helping the Wests Tigers to win the tournament.

He began the season playing at centre until he dislocated his shoulder in Round 4 against the North Queensland Cowboys.

During his time off the Tigers struggled in attack.

When he returned after four weeks, he was moved to the play-making position of five-eighth.

From there, Marshall set the club on a record 3 match winning streak.

He dislocated the same shoulder four weeks into his return in Round 13.

Marshall's season ended as he had surgery, finishing the year with 2 tries from 7 matches.

Marshall played for fourteen seasons in the National Rugby League for Sydney club Wests Tigers, with whom he won the 2005 NRL Premiership.

He has been noted for his flamboyant attack, including sidesteps, no-look passes and flick-passes.

Blossoming into one of rugby league's superstars en route to the Wests Tigers' maiden premiership (2005)

In 2005, Marshall injured his other shoulder in the opening minutes of the first trial match.

After missing the opening round match, Marshall played five-eighth for the club's second match of the year against defending premiers, the Bulldogs.

With an injury free run, Marshall demonstrated a passing, running, and kicking game to complement his stepping.

He was able to score individual tries and set up tries for his team-mates.

Marshall also made his New Zealand debut in the 2005 ANZAC Test.

Marshall was a member of the Wests Tigers that defeated North Queensland Cowboys in the 2005 NRL grand final, where he famously set up a 90-metre try to Pat Richards, which was considered to be one of the best tries of grand final history.

The try involved a trademark 'flick pass', at about the 50-metre line to Richards.

Marshall was named as New Zealand five-eighth for the 2005 Tri Nations tour.

However, surgery on his weak shoulder in the off-season ruled him out and he also missed the 2006 World Club Challenge.

In 2010 Marshall won the Golden Boot Award for the best international player.

In 2022, Marshall signed a five-year deal to become an assistant coach of Wests Tigers under Tim Sheens, with Marshall succeeding Sheens as Head Coach ahead of 2025 season after Sheens' impending retirement.

Marshall was born in Whakatane, New Zealand.

He is of Māori descent.

He is the eldest of three brothers, and the elder brother of New Zealand Māori international Jeremy Marshall-King.

He was raised without his biological father, but has spoken of the influence of his foster-father Michael Doherty, and other men within his extended family.

He has said he had, "10 or 11 fathers … which is not a bad thing."

Marshall was a pupil at Whakatane High School.

He was offered a scholarship to play for Keebra Park State High School in Gold Coast, Queensland when he was 16.

While living on the Gold Coast, he played junior rugby league for the Nerang Roosters.