Rugby League: PJ Marsh works to contain big runners

With his explosive running and dynamism, New Zealand Warriors rugby league hooker PJ Marsh is an athlete of rare natural talent, but there is an aspect of his game he needs to work extra hard at.

"I'm one of the littler blokes. I get spotted up," the 175cm, 80kg 22-year-old said during preparations for the Warriors' home clash against his former team, the Parramatta Eels, at Ericsson Stadium here tomorrow.

"If someone sees Jerry (Seuseu) in the line, and then they see me beside him, they're obviously going to run at me," Marsh said.

"When they're doing that all game it gets a bit tough after a while, and you tend to miss a few, but you also make a lot more tackles than the other guys, as well.

"My tackle count will always be 20-plus a game, while some of the other guys they probably won't play as long as I do. I normally play anywhere from 70 to 80 minutes."

He had to work on the tackling aspect of his game every week, Marsh said.

While tomorrow's game is against the side he belonged to for four years, the identity of the opposition was not a big issue.

"After the game I'll be able to catch up and say a few giddays, but that's about it," he said.

Marsh is one of three Warriors forwards lining up against their old club, the other two being Mark Tookey and Justin Morgan.

Prop Morgan is heading for France at the end of the season, but both Marsh and Tookey have re-signed with the Warriors, with Marsh to stay on for three more years.

Originally brought over as an inside back, Marsh said he would like to continue playing in the hooking position he has taken over since the injury to Monty Betham.

The attraction of the position was the chance to get his hands on the ball regularly, he said.

Marsh described as "probably the best thing that's ever happened to me in my rugby league career" his selection for Queensland's State of Origin side last month.

He did not want to make any predictions about his chances of making the state side next year.

"That's a long way away. I'm just back to concentrating on the Warriors now, making sure we get a home semifinal," he said.

And he brushed aside speculation he might be a future prospect for the Australian side.

"I haven't really thought about that. In a few years to come, maybe, you never know," he said.

- NZPA