Marshall defies pain barrier

By WYNNE GRAY

Two gruelling fitness tests convinced Justin Marshall he was ready to return for the opening Super 12 semifinal.

Marshall's restoration, just a fortnight after tearing a muscle near his hip, was a massive boost for the Crusaders on Saturday and probably the difference between victory and defeat against the Stormers.

The halfback's influence was prevalent in a Crusaders side missing kingpin lock Chris Jack and struggling with their form in the late stages of the series.

Other quality acts such as Richie McCaw, Daniel Carter, Brad Thorn and Greg Somerville turned it on and rookie Ross Filipo improved as he worked through his second game at this level.

But it was Marshall, and the circumstances of his recovery, who shone in a game of high speed, high intensity but moderate standard.

Marshall's combustible temperament had been tested since he damaged an abdominal muscle against the Stormers two weeks ago.

He admitted he had not been the greatest company at home as he fretted and brooded about missing a third playoff series.

At 30, Marshall knew he did not have many more chances to be part of Super 12 history.

In 1998 an Achilles tendon tear rubbed him out as the Crusaders went on to their first title.

Two years later Marshall tore a calf muscle when he imitated the unusual high-stepping running style of former Warriors forward Hitro Okesene at training.

Two weeks ago he was a casualty again with his hip injury, in such pain there were suggestions he would struggle to make the All Black trial next month.

Aggressive physiotherapy, Marshall's determination and ability to defy the pain barrier meant he made a remarkable recovery and one which stunned even his coach, Robbie Deans.

"His contribution was certainly greater than we were anticipating at the start of the week," Deans said. "It was a remarkable effort by Marshy just to put himself into the position to be able to play and certainly a fillip for the guys because he provides a lot of direction. It was good to have a familiar bark behind the pack."

Marshall knew the risks, something underlined in the second semifinal when Chiefs centre Keith Lowen seemed diffident after his injury.

"I did not want to go out there and just get through it," Marshall said, "because there is nothing worse than being a passenger."

That was where the fitness testing took over. It was designed to take Marshall to the edge, to best simulate match conditions.

Marshall did not worry about any contact but knew sudden movement would test his flexibility.

The veteran of 70 All Black tests gave himself the green light and helped to lead the Crusaders to their sixth final.

There were more parabolic passes than normal and fewer attacking surges from Marshall but his guidance and instincts saturated the semifinal.

He chivvied his pack to extract maul penalties from the Stormers and started and finished a long-range try from a tap penalty just after halftime, a move which gave the Crusaders the lead for the first time.

Its importance was evident as Marshall whooped and exhorted the disappointing crowd of only 25,000 to get in behind the home team.

That was the halfback's only embarrassment as he admitted he loved getting into anyone who "hotdogs" after scoring.

But it will be a brave team-mate who has a crack at Marshall for that try or even the unusual chinstrap beard he grew during his time off.

With the final quarter left, the Stormers were only three points adrift. They had dominated territory in a game in which both sides were too guilty of squandering possession.

Had the visitors had more of a cutting edge than de Wet Barry on attack they would have been difficult to hold. As their bodies failed to penetrate, their minds would have turned to their travel fatigue and their inability to crack a 14-man Crusaders side in the pool game.

Some Stormers did not sleep properly until the night before the game and while coach Gert Smal felt the forward struggle was even, he rued some of the side's tactical mistakes.

Schalk Burger had a magnificent tussle with McCaw, Pieter Dixon is a boisterous hooker, Barry and Marius Joubert a potent midfield pair although they were unable to get ball to speedster Tonderai Chavhanga.

In the last quarter, the Stormers clattered to the shadows of the Crusaders' line but in one last desperate defence the weight of the Crusaders created a turnover.

Downtown they took advantage. Marshall called a 10-man maul and Carter kicked the penalty and the last of his 17 points.

The Crusaders' lead was out to six and then they had an ounce of luck when a hand deflected Cameron McIntyre's dropped goal attempt. From the scrum a simple overlap on the left had Caleb Ralph over and the Crusaders were hunting their sixth series title in Canberra.

Crusaders 27 (J. Marshall, C. Ralph tries; Daniel Carter 5 pen, con)

Stormers 16 (De Wet Barry try; G. du Toit 3 pen, con) Halftime: 13-12.