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From the WT website:
BENJI TALKS ON THE FOUR NATIONS
Friday, 30 October 2009
Wests Tigers five-eighth and Kiwi captain Benji Marshall has filed a report on his thoughts on the Four Nations tournament in England.
Benji spoke to Wests Tigers Media Officer Wayne Cousins about the honour of leading New Zealand, the Kangaroos, and how Wests Tigers team-mate Robbie Farah deserves an Australian Test jersey.
WC: Congratulations Benji on the honour of captaining your country. As a proud Kiwi, tell us how it feels and who do you think of or what do you think about when you hear your country’s song played?
BM: First of all it is a privilege to just represent your country full stop but to get the opportunity to be the captain and lead your country is truly a great honour and certainly one I won’t take for granted. Standing there in the front of the line hearing your national anthem played is pretty emotional and you always seem to shed a tear and think about who your representing, because your not just representing yourself but there’s your family and also the whole nation.
WC: The Kiwis have come along way in the past 12 months, being crowned World Champions. You certainly ripped into the Kangaroos and showed tremendous courage to fight back after being down 14-6\. You were unlucky not to win?
BM: I thought we had a solid effort for a first hit out and thought we deserved to win but oh well that’s footy. It was a little disappointing to fight back and take the lead with only a few minutes to play but the Kangaroos are a great side and they can fight back in tight situations as they did.
WC: Benji, you kicked well in the NRL. Is there a reason as to why you are not doing the goal-kicking for the Kiwis?
BM: Yeah when we were leading up to the game, I had alot of things on my plate already and as captain too. The other boys were striking them great at training so the goal-kicking was their role to do, not mine.
WC: What did Tim Sheens say to you after the Test match. He must have been pleased with your performance. How did you rate your performance. You led the team well?
BM: I didn’t get to speak to Tim after the game but I thought my performance was quite solid. I didn’t overplay my hand and just gave our danger men on the outside a bit of ball and defended solidly, so I was reasonably happy with my performance but I still know there is plenty of room for improvement.
WC: How do you see the Test between England and Australia. England did enough to get over France with Gareth Ellis in great form. The Kangaroos can only improve?
BM: I think it will be a great game. England played well in patches and Australia will be better after the run the other night. Gaz is in great form and looking dangerous. I really hope Robbie gets the chance to play because he could add plenty to the ruck area for the Kangaroos. The way he finished the season he deserves a spot and won’t let anyone down.
WC: Finally, Robbie says he is going to take Royce Simmons shopping to buy some decent clothes and shoes for him. Your thoughts on Royce’s dress sense and do you have any plans to catch up with Robbie and Gareth once the tournament is over?
BM: I think Royce dresses okay for his age. I am more worried about his comb over hairdo than his dress sense but at least he has more hair than Sheensy. I will get to catch up with Gaz next week before we play England so that will be good. I don’t think I will see Robbie after the tournament because he is staying for a bit and I’m looking forward to getting home to see the family.
BENJI TALKS ON THE FOUR NATIONS
Friday, 30 October 2009
Wests Tigers five-eighth and Kiwi captain Benji Marshall has filed a report on his thoughts on the Four Nations tournament in England.
Benji spoke to Wests Tigers Media Officer Wayne Cousins about the honour of leading New Zealand, the Kangaroos, and how Wests Tigers team-mate Robbie Farah deserves an Australian Test jersey.
WC: Congratulations Benji on the honour of captaining your country. As a proud Kiwi, tell us how it feels and who do you think of or what do you think about when you hear your country’s song played?
BM: First of all it is a privilege to just represent your country full stop but to get the opportunity to be the captain and lead your country is truly a great honour and certainly one I won’t take for granted. Standing there in the front of the line hearing your national anthem played is pretty emotional and you always seem to shed a tear and think about who your representing, because your not just representing yourself but there’s your family and also the whole nation.
WC: The Kiwis have come along way in the past 12 months, being crowned World Champions. You certainly ripped into the Kangaroos and showed tremendous courage to fight back after being down 14-6\. You were unlucky not to win?
BM: I thought we had a solid effort for a first hit out and thought we deserved to win but oh well that’s footy. It was a little disappointing to fight back and take the lead with only a few minutes to play but the Kangaroos are a great side and they can fight back in tight situations as they did.
WC: Benji, you kicked well in the NRL. Is there a reason as to why you are not doing the goal-kicking for the Kiwis?
BM: Yeah when we were leading up to the game, I had alot of things on my plate already and as captain too. The other boys were striking them great at training so the goal-kicking was their role to do, not mine.
WC: What did Tim Sheens say to you after the Test match. He must have been pleased with your performance. How did you rate your performance. You led the team well?
BM: I didn’t get to speak to Tim after the game but I thought my performance was quite solid. I didn’t overplay my hand and just gave our danger men on the outside a bit of ball and defended solidly, so I was reasonably happy with my performance but I still know there is plenty of room for improvement.
WC: How do you see the Test between England and Australia. England did enough to get over France with Gareth Ellis in great form. The Kangaroos can only improve?
BM: I think it will be a great game. England played well in patches and Australia will be better after the run the other night. Gaz is in great form and looking dangerous. I really hope Robbie gets the chance to play because he could add plenty to the ruck area for the Kangaroos. The way he finished the season he deserves a spot and won’t let anyone down.
WC: Finally, Robbie says he is going to take Royce Simmons shopping to buy some decent clothes and shoes for him. Your thoughts on Royce’s dress sense and do you have any plans to catch up with Robbie and Gareth once the tournament is over?
BM: I think Royce dresses okay for his age. I am more worried about his comb over hairdo than his dress sense but at least he has more hair than Sheensy. I will get to catch up with Gaz next week before we play England so that will be good. I don’t think I will see Robbie after the tournament because he is staying for a bit and I’m looking forward to getting home to see the family.
