Marshall proves real tiger tamer this time

Apr 14 2008 by Simon Roberts, Western Mail

What a difference 12 months makes. Simon Roberts analyses how Justin Marshall banished a Twickenham demon

JUSTIN MARSHALL isn’t the type of bloke to do self-doubt or insecurity, but he exorcised a demon at Twickenham.

Eyes were on the New Zealand legend after the poorest display he had had in an Ospreys jersey in last season’s EDF Energy Cup final.

The Ospreys, and Marshall, in particular, imploded in spectacular fashion 12 months ago at the home of English rugby.

For a New Zealander, who had never lost in a black shirt at Twickenham, it was a first and a humbling experience.

In typical fashion, and with trademark honesty, the veteran scrum-half publicly admitted he had blown it on the big stage.

He had dug himself, and the Ospreys, into a hole and they suffered a 41-35 defeat to the Tigers in last season’s final.

Marshall claimed, a year on, he didn’t have a point to prove against the same opponents.

For such a renowned competitor and born winner, it’s inconceivable Marshall didn’t feel he had something to prove to himself, if nobody else.

But, after a nervy start, when he fluffed a kick to touch and missed two early tackles, Marshall showed why the Ospreys broke the bank to sign him.

James Hook, his half-back partner, may have won the plaudits for his performance, but Marshall’s maturity and composure allowed the young Welshman to shine.

Lyn Jones, the Ospreys coach, certainly appreciated the under-stated way his biggest-ever signing had played his part in this victory.

“Justin didn’t have a great 15 minutes at the start of the game did he?” said Jones.

“The difference with somebody of his stature is that he understands constantly where he is during a game of rugby.

“He knows when he is doing well and when he is doing badly. He is a player who has the emotional intelligence to turn his performance around.

“Justin did have a ‘mare’ last year and didn’t start this game well but grew into the game. He showed his worth out there.”

Marshall certainly did that and became a growing influence in this demolition of the Tigers. The more influential Marshall became, the more control the Ospreys had. He started to pull the strings and challenge his Ospreys forwards to really dominate the Tigers pack.

They didn’t just take his invitation, but ripped it out of his hand and took the much-vaunted Leicester pack to the cleaners.

Marshall, though, didn’t leave all the hard yards to his pack. He made a break towards the end of the first half, which should have led to a second Ospreys try, but the Tigers scrambled well and turned the ball over and cleared their lines.

Then, just after the break, Marshall produced a long clearance kick and it bounced, at right angles, into touch, deep inside the Tigers half

You could almost hear the sound of the first crack in the hearts of the iron-willed Tigers reverberate around Twickers.

It was certainly the first time in the contest when you saw the heads of the Leicester players drop. They knew that they were losing their grip on the Anglo-Welsh cup.

The Ospreys may only have been 7-6 ahead, but that was a precursor to the tide turning the Welsh side’s way.

Minutes later, Alun Wyn Jones crossed for the Ospreys’ second try and they were on their way to becoming the first Welsh side in eight attempts to tame the Tigers.

Marshall had made his point, but there was still some blood to be spilled for the cause. With the Ospreys 17-6 ahead, and with 10 minutes remaining, he clashed with Tigers and former England skipper, Martin Corry, at a ruck and came off second best with a cut above his eye.

That scar, along with his EDF Energy Cup winners medal, will be a permanent reminder of an afternoon when the old warrior reminded us all of the age-old cliche that form is temporary, class is permanent.

Next he only has to prove it in next season’s Heineken Cup.

See pictures of the Ospreys victory