Former Wests and Cronulla winger Beau Ryan says Benji Marshall will “one hundred per cent” fit into South Sydney’s team for the coming season.
The New Zealand representative signed a one year deal at Redfern last week. He previously represented the Tigers for 257 games across two separate spells, around stints at St George Illawarra and the Brisbane Broncos.
“I didn’t see it coming, but the more I think about it… he loves (Souths coach Wayne) Bennett,” Ryan told SEN’s Joel and Fletch.
“Everyone’s like ‘will he be on the bench, will he start…' (but) I’ve got no doubts he’ll play in the team.”
He suggested Marshall will train as a hooker, but that he can put also pressure on the Bunnies’ strong halves pairing.
“He’ll make Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds play better. And if they don’t, he will play (in their spots),” Ryan explained.
“That’s the thing with Benji, he’ll lift the standard there. He’s got a point to prove, he wants to win a competition, he wants to play. He can only make them better.”
Ryan said he was “blindsided” when Marshall committed to the cardinal red and myrtle green, with Queensland clubs and Cronulla having circled the 35-year-old.
“I know the Sharks were trying to move to get his signature, but they just didn’t have space in terms of the cap,” Ryan added.