League: Eye of the Tigers

As the rugby league world continues its fixation with Sonny Bill Williams and his ankle, his mumps and his contract, another youngster is beginning to cast a rather imposing shadow.

Most Kiwis fans might have taken a moment's silence upon hearing the news Williams will miss this month's Anzac Test because of an ankle injury. While it's a huge blow considering the classy second rower is the one player Australia feared, the reality is that coach Daniel Anderson has a large number of loose forwards at his disposal to at least plug the gap.

Of more concern in recent years has been finding someone to slip on the No 6 jersey. Perhaps until now, that is.

Although only 20, and with just 15 NRL games under his belt, Benji Marshall could be the answer New Zealand has been looking for since Olsen Filipaina hung up his boots in 1986 after 29 games in the black jersey.

The procession of contenders has been continuous and often with limited success - Shane Cooper, Kelly Shelford, Tony Kemp, Tea Ropati, Gene Ngamu, Henry Paul, Robbie Paul, Tasesa Lavea, Lance Hohaia and even Vinnie Anderson and Nigel Vagana.

Henry Paul was probably the most naturally suited to the role but, almost inexplicably, he was often played at hooker or even wing to make way for Ngamu.

Marshall is talented, precocious, confident and the fact he's staunchly proud to be a Kiwi should not be underestimated. His attacking verve and exuberance have been key in the Tigers' upsets of the Bulldogs and Roosters this season.

Like any young talent, the danger is putting too much pressure on him too soon because it takes time to mature into a position like stand-off.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens has attempted to call for calm over his young charge, first suggesting he shouldn't be picked before realising it was inevitable and then calling for Marshall to be used only from the bench against the Kangaroos.

Sheens is worried Marshall isn't ready physically for test league, particularly as he's been troubled by shoulder injuries.

Whakatane-born Marshall dismisses this with his usual self-assuredness: "I'd be doubting my ability if I said I wasn't ready. I'm the type of player who plays on confidence and I try to be as confident and cocky as I can. If I said I wasn't ready, I'd be lying."

Although Marshall has not heard from Anderson, the signs are that Marshall will be included in the provisional squad to be read out on Tuesday to take on Australia in Brisbane on April 22.

"Absolutely," was Anderson's reply when quizzed on whether Marshall would be considered.

If Marshall read his own press, he would be a shoo-in but the rugby union convert has his feet well and truly planted on the floor because of the influences of both Sheens and his mum.

"My family is living in Sydney now and I can't go home and start talking about myself because my mum would give me a clip around the ear," he explains.

It's comments like this that remind you that Marshall is a relative baby in the big, bad world of professional rugby league.

He's honest and says he has no comprehension what international league would be like, only that it would be "harder than the NRL" and, given his background in rugby union, has few memories of league tests.

Marshall, though, remembers where he comes from and, unlike the debate surrounding fellow wunderkind Karmichael Hunt, there was no doubt that Marshall would pull on a Kiwi jersey: "There was never any decision. I was always going to play for the Kiwis if I was selected." Now that could come sooner rather than later.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY