By Jon Geddes

A DYNAMIC duo plucked from the Shute Shield have become key member of the Australian Sevens squad chasing gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

Eastwood No.9 Matt Gonzalez and Warringah utility back Ben Marr are in the United Kingdom preparing for the start of their Games campaign on Friday after making the most of the opportunities handed to them by national coach John Manenti.

And the coach revealed to Rugby News that he will continue to closely monitor club competitions across Australia looking for prospective recruits.

Manenti is well aware of the untapped talent in the Shute Shield through his long involvement with the Eastwood club and recognised the potential in Gonzalez and Marr.   

“They are both boys that have continuously stood up for their clubs,” Manenti said.

“I picked Matty Gonzalez in 2015 at Eastwood as a kid – a little skinny bugger- and he has gone away and he has wanted to play pro footy. 

“He got close a couple of times and injuries hurt him. This time it has worked out well for him and he is really making a fist of it. On the back of that he just really appreciates it so much and he just trying to make every post a winner.”

Marr was a similar case, a player who was just crying out for a chance to show what he could do at a higher level.       

“I have seen some of his games down at Rat Park and he is one of those guys who looks like he has got spiders on him,” Manenti said.

“You wonder ‘how did he get through there?’ You know he is going to run, you know he is going to dummy or whatever, but somehow he still manages to come out the other side.”

SEVEN STRINGS TO THEIR BOW

SINCE the pair have been involved in the sevens program, Manenti has seen them really develop and thrive in the professional environment.

“They have both been significant players since getting on board,” he said.  “To be fair they were both decent footy players before coming in, it’s not like we taught them how to play footy or anything.”  

But he said they are learning the nuances of the sevens, how to excel and what they can and can’t do.

“Matty’s support play is a real point of difference, he just turns up time and time again,” Manenti said.

“When there is a line break he really understands the support lines he needs to be running.

“Obviously playing halfback you don’t ball play a lot, you run and you scoot and you pass.

“In our game he is often a first receiver – and his game has just gone to another level on the back of the exposures and the time he gets with ball in hand which is something new.”

Manenti said Marr had shocked opponents when he was unleashed on the sevens circuit.    

“In his first couple of tournaments he made some really big breaks, but he plays in the forwards for us and I don’t think anyone expected this bloke to be able to run and be so creative,” he said.

“Benny is a long lanky kid and has a really good offload and is a really instinctive footy player. He is really creative and sets up a lot of play.” 

THE ACE OF CLUBS

WITH the successful transition of Gonzalez and Marr, it is no surprise Manenti will continue to direct traffic from club footy into the seven program.

“There is plenty of untapped potential out there in the Shute Shield and the Hospital Cup in Queensland and the Dent Cup in Canberra so we are pretty keen to keep giving guys opportunities,” he said.

“I want to make sure the Matt Gonzalez from Queensland and the Benny Marr from Canberra is getting opportunity and exposure as well.”

It is a really refreshing outlook that is only strengthened by Manenti’s vast knowledge and understanding of club footy.

And he has been practicing what he preaches. The coach has been watching every Shute Shield fixture – whether it be the whether it is the full game or one of the highlights packages – and making detailed notes. 

“I probably have 30 players from different clubs and different ages that I am following and I am watching a bit of Colts stuff too,” he said.

Manenti has a big two months ahead with the Commonwealth Games, the final of the World Series and the World Cup.

“Once we settle down after that I want to make sure that I am getting to Canberra, I am getting to Queensland,” he said.

“If we are going to be competitive and we are going to win tournaments, we need a good mixture of battle-hardened players, the guys that are desperate for that opportunity and some young guys that are willing to learn.”
The three-day Games competition starts on Friday from 6pm Sydney time. Australia kicks off their pool games against Jamaica, followed by Uganda and Kenya.