Reynolds v Marshall; The Fight for the No.6

Wests Tigers recruit Josh Reynolds says he’s not out to take veteran Benji Marshall’s place in the No.6 jersey.

Picture Above: Wests Tigers Duo Josh Reynolds (left) and Benji Marshall (right) look to fight for the No.6 jersey for the upcoming 2019 NRL Premiership season.
(Source: NRL)

Benji Marshall played 21 games in the No.6, partnering with halfback Luke Brooks throughout the 2018 Premiership season.

At the beginning of 2018 it was assumed that Josh Reynolds would take the five-eighth spot in the Tigers squad and Benji would play the utility role.

However early injury saw Benji take the No.6 spot, and after quite the impressive set of performances throughout the opening of the season, former coach Ivan Cleary chose to keep Marshall in the No.6.

“Everyone probably things we go to training and don’t talk because it’s me against him,” Reynolds said following Tuesday’s training.

“But it’s the total opposite. He’s done a lot in the game and I find him a really good half. I’m learning a lot off him all the time.”

“Even though we’re both going for the same position, it’s hard  for me to go in there and be off him, or not want to talk to him.

“So from that fact it’s good. We’d crossed paths before [prior to linking at the Tigers] but I didn’t really know much about him. His footy speaks for itself.”

“When I was younger I was one of those watching him. Everyone wants to do the big step… he was the guy you always tried to base your game around as a half.”

While remaining highly respectful of Marshall and his final season, Reynolds isn’t about to hand the No.6 jumper to him without a fight.

“At the Dogs I was sort of cemented at five-eighth, so it’s a good challenge,” Reynolds said.

The statistics between the two players are very similar, and that proves well for the Tigers who are in the position of always having a quality five-eighth at hand.

Between the 2016-18 seasons, the pair played 97 games between them, scored 21 tries and had 32 try assists, as well as making 81 offloads and 38 forced drop outs.

With the Tigers first trial game against the Bulldogs looming in late February, then the Warriors on March 2, Reynolds says head coach Michael Maguire is in a difficult position.

“Even ‘Madge’ says to us he’s never been in this position before having two pretty good five-eighths going for the one position. He’s told us he’s trying to work us both in,” Reynolds said.