Benji Marshall will be closely marked by the Kangaroos in tomorrow's Rugby League World Cup final. Photo / Getty Images.
BRISBANE- Kiwis playmaker Benji Marshall can expect plenty of attention from the Australian defenders during the rugby league World Cup final in Brisbane tomorrow night, with a report today of a "Bash Benji" campaign.
Quizzed about the alleged "secret" plan within the Kangaroo camp, assistant coach John Cartwright
was guarded in his response, saying all teams analysed the opposition before a match.
"He is their main game breaker," he told journalists.
"He can set up tries from anywhere. He can score tries from anywhere. It's no different to how we approach every game in the tournament. The guy who sets up the opposition plays, we've got to stop."
The Brisbane Courier-Mail reported that Marshall was repeatedly mentioned as the focus of the Australian defence during a video session on Wednesday.
A player at the session, who did not want to be named, told the paper that "bashing Benji" would be a priority for the Kangaroos.
The player also accused Marshall of being afraid of running at the Australians, saying he took on the defensive line just three times in the pool match between the teams.
Meanwhile, Cartwright said backrower Paul Gallen, who is carrying a thigh injury, was a likely starter.
A final decision on Gallen's availability had yet to be made, "but he looks pretty good at this stage".
Cartwright said Anthony Watmough was on standby to take over if Gallen pulled out.
The Kangaroos have already had one withdrawal, with winger Brent Tate ruled out yesterday because of the hip injury he suffered in the semifinal win over Fiji.
Tate's place has gone to David "Wolfman" Williams, who scored a hat-trick on his test debut against Papua New Guinea a fortnight ago.
Cartwright said he had no concerns about Williams, part of the Manly's premiership-winning side, making the step up to a World Cup final.
"He attacked his debut and scored three tries and there'll be no reason for him to change," he said.
"He's prepared all week like he's going to play, so there'll be no problems there."
- NZPA
