Marshall Closing In On Kiwi Captaincy Record

Marshall Closing In On Kiwi Captaincy Record

Leeds, England, November 10, 2011 – Benji Marshall is within two Tests of equalling the record as the longest-serving Kiwi captain.

Marshall will lead the Kiwis for the 17th time when they take on England in their sudden-death Gillette Four Nations encounter in Hull on Saturday, a match which will determine which side will meet Australia in the tournament final at Elland Road in Leeds on November 19.

The 26-year-old Whakatane-born standoff led the Kiwis for the first time when he stood in for an injured Nathan Cayless against England in Newcastle during the triumphant 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign. When Cayless retired from representative football in early 2009, coach Stephen Kearney gave the captaincy to the then 24-year-old Wests Tigers playmaker.

Since then Marshall has led New Zealand in 15 consecutive Tests and, should the Kiwis beat England in Hull, he would take his total as captain to 18, drawing level with New Zealand legends Mark Graham and Ruben Wiki and just one Test behind Gary Freeman who was captain 19 times from 1990-1995.

Last Saturday, Marshall achieved another milestone when he kicked four goals in the Kiwis’ 36-0 win against Wales to become only the seventh player in history to score 100 points in Tests for New Zealand. He ranks behind Matthew Ridge, Stacey Jones, Daryl Halligan, Des White, Henry Paul and Olsen Filipaina.

Aside from his points-scoring and captaincy achievements, Marshall has also put together an impressive run of Test appearances in the last four years, the match against England being his 22nd consecutive international since playing in the Kiwis’ World Cup lead-up Test against Tonga in Auckland in 2008. The only Test he has missed in Kearney’s reign as coach was his very first, against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in May, 2008.

In contrast, after making his Test debut against Australia in 2005, Marshall was able to play just three of a possible 20 internationals – all Anzac Tests in 2005, 2006 and 2007 – before he became a permanent fixture for the 2008 World Cup campaign. His durability for his country has been matched for his club Wests Tigers; he played in 25 of their 26 matches this year, all 27 in 2010 and 23 of 24 in 2009.

Along with the rest of the Kiwi party, Marshall had time off today before the final run tomorrow ahead of the Hull contest, which seems certain to be watched by a sellout crowd of some 25,000.

The Kiwis will train in Leeds tomorrow morning before moving base for a one-night stay at the Forest Hills Hotel on the outskirts of Hull.

All players except injured prop Sam McKendry remain in contention. Prop Fuifui Moimoi trained separately from the team yesterday but ran well as he continued to recover from the ankle injury which limited him to just six minutes against the Welsh at Wembley.

Kearney has indicated he will wait until as late as possible before confirming the line-up to face England.

When the Kiwis began this end of season campaign, eight of the 23 players in the squad were yet to make their Test debuts. With Elijah Taylor playing his first Test last weekend, only two of the eight touring rookies – Melbourne second rower Kevin Proctor and Vodafone Warriors winger Bill Tupou – are still waiting for their chance to play for their country for the first time.

ENDS

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