Potter explains decision to bench Benji Marshall

Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter has opened up on his decision to dump out-of-sorts playmaker Benji Marshall for Friday’s clash with South Sydney.

Potter has named the mercurial New Zealand international on the bench for the match against the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium after his well-publicised slump in form.

Utility player Liam Fulton replaces Marshall at five-eighth as the Tigers look to reverse a slide of six straight defeats which sees them currently rooted to the foot of the NRL ladder.

Curtis Sironen will start at halfback. 

“Benji’s profile means he always attracts a lot of interest and talk, sometimes positive and sometimes negative,” Potter told the club’s official website. 

“By his own admission, Benji is down on form and confidence at the moment. He knows his game well, he knows what he needs to do to recapture his form, in fact he has publicly stated these things very honestly and accurately. 

“The decision to start him from the bench this week is simply my view on what is in the best interest of the team for this game.”

Potter says although disappointed, Marshall has reacted well in training

“I fully expect him to have a very positive influence on this game,” he added. 

“We need him too if we are to put in the kind of performance the team expects.”