12 Jun 2014

Old glories help Benji find NRL feet again

5:58 am on 12 June 2014

The failed rugby convert Benji Marshall has revealed watching videos of his league glory days in a Wests Tigers and New Zealand jumper was the inspiration behind his outstanding display for St George Illawarra last Saturday.

Marshall set up three of his side's six tries in the 30-0 win over Cronulla and had a hand in two more as he showed glimpses of his old form.

The former Kiwi skipper has endured a difficult return to the NRL since calling time on his ill-fated stint in Super Rugby with the Blues in April and admitted his confidence was dented by the experience.

But after playing some DVDs of some old games last week, it made him realise he'd gone away from the things that once made him the world's best player.

Marshall made his name as a brilliant runner of the ball and, as he demonstrated, albeit against a weakened Sharks side, he can still use that speed to good effect.

Marshall arrived at the Dragons with the side struggling to win games and with coach Steve Price under huge pressure to keep his job and said he tried too hard to make an early impression - something he conceded was a mistake.

Price was subsequently sacked after Marshall's first game - a 36-0 loss to Parramatta - and the 29-year-old admitted it wasn't something he'd expected.