For the second week in succession high-profile Rugby League convert Benji Marshall failed to live up to the pre-match hype.

The spotlight shone brightly on Marshall in the build-up to the game, but it was the New Zealand-born Rugby League convert Alofa Alofa that lit up a Super Rugby trial between the Blues and Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.

Alofa even outshone illustrious teammate Israel Folau as the former Aucklander produced two evasive runs before deservedly nailing the game-sealing try as the Waratahs triumphed 33 / 12.

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The 22-year-old was a member of the Roosters Under-20 squad in 2011 and mentioned as a possible heir to Anthony Minichiello – until Kiwis star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck burst on to the NRL scene.

Now the wing is starting to make an impression in the 15-man code, as Marshall continues to make a less eye-catching transition.

Marshall, who like last week was replaced at half-time, spent the bulk of the opening quarter waiting expectantly on defence near the Blues goal-line as the Waratahs dominated a protracted and initially one-sided scrummaging battle.

And Kurtley Beale, who started at fullback, also put his name forward to begin his comeback season at the Waratahs in the hotly-contested No.10 jersey, after igniting the NSW backline with the opening try, some sharp passing and then a brilliant first-half chip-and-chase.

Friday’s match started as a dour struggle, but soon opened up, with Beale, Israel Folau and rookie flyer Alofa putting together a tidy highlights package to kick-start the Waratahs season.

Blues No.10 Marshall was constantly on the back foot in his 40 minutes on the field, playing behind an overpowered pack missing several All Blacks forwards.

But if Friday’s hit-out was any indication, Marshall faces a steeper learning curve in his new code than many League converts before him, struggling to find his place in the game.

The former Kiwis captain was steamrolled by giant Waratahs back row forward Will Skelton as NSW took an early 14-0 lead.

His timing proved out when he did finally get the ball in his hands, failing to find touch from a penalty and throwing a dud pass into an unsuspecting teammate.

Marshall was replaced at half-time, coinciding with the benchmark of cross-code stars, Folau taking the field for the opposition – although the NSW fullback made a rare error, fumbling a kick which allowed Charles Piutau to bring the Blues’ back into the match at 21-12.

However, Folau made amends just 10 minutes later when he put Stephen Hoiles over in the corner with the silkiest of flick-passes to put the result beyond doubt.

NSW held the ball for virtually the entire opening 11 minutes of the match, before Beale scooped up a loose pass from halfback Nick Phipps and surged over from close range.

Bernard Foley started at five-eighth and also scored a try, but it was Beale who put the No.10 through a hole in the 13th minute with a pin-point face-ball at the line.

The Waratahs’ backs interchanged positions throughout the night, but the most revealing find of the night was West Harbour product Alofa – who finished off the try of the night in the 67th minute.

“The effort he showed to score the try where he was down on his back only a couple of seconds before and got back up. That’s what this team is trying to become,” said coach Michael Cheika of the rookie-contracted Alofa, who last played against Marshall in a Roosters versus Wests Tigers NRL trial two years ago.

“That shows he’s obviously hungry and he wants an opportunity so he definitely gave himself a shot at it that’s for sure.”

The scorers:

For the Waratahs:
Tries: Beale (1), Skelton (1), Foley (1), Hoiles (1), Alofa (1)
Cons: Foley (3), Beale (1)

For the Blues:
Tries: Manihera (1), Piutau (1)
Con: Noakes (1)

Teams:

Waratahs: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Matthew Carraro, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Jono Lance, 11 Peter Betham, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Pat McCutcheon, 6 Dave Dennis (Captain), 5 Will Skelton, 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Paddy Ryan, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: Not available

Blues: 15 Albert Nikoro, 14 Frank Halai, 13 George Moala, 12 Jackson Willison, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Benji Marshall, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Luke Braid, 6 Kane Barrett, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 James Parsons, 1 Sam Prattley
Replacements – from: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Tom McCartney, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, William Lloyd, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jordan Manihera, Brendon O’Connor, Sonatane Takulua, Chris Noakes, Simon Hickey, Francis Saili, Lolagi Visinia, Baden Kerr, Charles Piutau.

Referee: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)