By WYNNE GRAY
Justin Marshall was not saying whether he was surprised but he was definitely happy.
He needed some positive reinforcement. While he is the most capped All Black halfback, injury and form fluctuation have brought Marshall a significant amount of criticism in the last few seasons.
The 26-year-old got the good vibes at the Institute of Rugby in Palmerston North. One of the co-opted technicians with the side, Mark Sayers, a bio-mechanist from Canberra, was running through a variety of tests. His topic that day was passing.
"Funnily enough we got the results of the study on halfback passes and I was the quickest through the air," said Marshall, "which you wouldn't believe given the amount of publicity I get about my pass."
Marshall has never earned great raves about his delivery, the arc and the speed of his pass coming under even more scrutiny since Byron Kelleher pushed through into the national squad.
"The only time I was a bit slow was when I got into the wrong position, when I arrived at a ruck the wrong way. Through the air I am fine, my pass is the quickest so it is a matter of getting my body angles right moving into the breakdowns," said Marshall.
"It is not too often I get many compliments about my pass, so that was great. I think it is faster this year because I am sweeping the ball off the floor more. At times I can get a bit upright too because I am quite tall for a halfback."
Which all goes to show that even after 42 tests, there is not a day when a top international rugby player can stop working on his game. That is definitely part of the strategy driving the All Blacks this season.
It is boosting Marshall who should be chosen later today as the All Black halfback to oppose Wallaby menace George Gregan at Stadium Australia on Saturday night in the opening Tri-Nations test.
Another help for Marshall should be the ball change. He will be using the Summit ball which is preferred by the Australians, but even that should be preferable to the new adidas ball which proved unpopular during its three-test career.
Alongside those changes, Marshall has vowed to go back to his natural game.
"Since last year it is apparent you have got to front. I am bloody keen. I was refreshed at the end of last season and decided I would go back and play the style of game which got me to where I was.
"It is all about not trying to be someone else. If that is taking quick taps or trying things that is what it will be. Sometimes they will come off at other times not but that is the game I enjoy. I have found it has made rugby a lot easier for me again and I am enjoying the game and getting results too."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
Rugby governance saga: Unions propose radical shake-up for NZR
Union's demand for three members with provincial experience a sticking point.