From www.stuff.co.nz
By MERE MULU
League's hot-stepping hunk Benji Marshall is single and back in New Zealand. But unfortunately for his legion of female fans, Benji says he's going to be too busy to find a girlfriend.
The 21-year-old Kiwis and West Tigers star is on a nine-month break from the game as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction after dislocating it when tackling Penrith's Frank Puletua.
But Benji won't be sitting still. He plans to hit the weights, play guitar, study for his communications degree, and catch up with friends and family in his hometown of Whakatane.
"It's my third operation so I'm getting used to it and it's great to be home," Benji said.
"My whanau is the reason I'm where I am. They taught me to go hard or go home. If I'm too big for my boots, they sort me out.
"Being back in Whakatane gives me time to chill. I get treated like a human being, whereas in Australia, I get treated like Superman."
Benji, who plays at 85kg, says his shoulder problems came from taking on huge opponents on the field.
"I was trying to be too tough and smash the big 120kg dudes," he laughs, adding that his famous fast side-step was initially a tactic to avoid taking on the bigger opponents.
Benji's also appeared on Maori Television's Code sports show, where he signed a West Tigers jersey as a competition prize for the channel's Monday Night League series.
And he will be back on on-screen in a new series of Maori Television's Ngati NRL, a reality show following young Maori league players in Australia.
TO WIN the West Tigers jersey signed by Benji all you need to do is: Watch Monday Night League at 8pm, look out for the league Te Reo phrase of the game, email the phrase along with your name and address to mnl@maoritelevision. com by August 23.
For more details, check out www.maoritelevision.com.
By MERE MULU
League's hot-stepping hunk Benji Marshall is single and back in New Zealand. But unfortunately for his legion of female fans, Benji says he's going to be too busy to find a girlfriend.
The 21-year-old Kiwis and West Tigers star is on a nine-month break from the game as he recovers from a shoulder reconstruction after dislocating it when tackling Penrith's Frank Puletua.
But Benji won't be sitting still. He plans to hit the weights, play guitar, study for his communications degree, and catch up with friends and family in his hometown of Whakatane.
"It's my third operation so I'm getting used to it and it's great to be home," Benji said.
"My whanau is the reason I'm where I am. They taught me to go hard or go home. If I'm too big for my boots, they sort me out.
"Being back in Whakatane gives me time to chill. I get treated like a human being, whereas in Australia, I get treated like Superman."
Benji, who plays at 85kg, says his shoulder problems came from taking on huge opponents on the field.
"I was trying to be too tough and smash the big 120kg dudes," he laughs, adding that his famous fast side-step was initially a tactic to avoid taking on the bigger opponents.
Benji's also appeared on Maori Television's Code sports show, where he signed a West Tigers jersey as a competition prize for the channel's Monday Night League series.
And he will be back on on-screen in a new series of Maori Television's Ngati NRL, a reality show following young Maori league players in Australia.
TO WIN the West Tigers jersey signed by Benji all you need to do is: Watch Monday Night League at 8pm, look out for the league Te Reo phrase of the game, email the phrase along with your name and address to mnl@maoritelevision. com by August 23.
For more details, check out www.maoritelevision.com.
although if and when it happens then good for him. Nice to know he's in the country and getting a good break away from football. :mrgreen:
