WELCOME HOME BENJI MARSHALL. Rugby league convert Benji Marshall got his first taste of professional rugby today as he attended his first pre-season training with the Auckland Blues. It was Marshalls first encounter with the wider Blues training squad and he was quick to fit in with current players. [It] made me definitely feel old out there today amongst those young fullas, Marshall said. The boys got a good gauge of what Im like, Im a bit of a joker and like mucking around and I showed them a bit of that this morning. However he wasnt shy in admitting there were a few reservations upon meeting his 2014 team-mates. I was really nervous this morning about sitting in the team environment for the first time, [But] the boys were good to me and made me feel welcome. Just that first team meeting, I didnt know many people, it was a bit scary but everyones been awesome. Marshall, 28, joins the Blues after playing rugby league for Balmains West Tigers and says in order to capitalise in the 15-man game he will be looking to a childhood hero for inspiration. My favourite player coming through was Christian Cullen, so if I can emulate half of what he did in the game and play a little bit like he did Ill be pretty happy. No-one really knows how its going to go yet, I can only guess and hope that it goes great and Ill give myself every chance by training as hard as I can. Aside from the shift from rugby league to rugby union, Marshall also says his transition into the New Zealand lifestyle has given him time to re-connect with his roots. Ive been really happy with the transition and suppose I havent felt this happy and relaxed for a long-time which has been great. Just to be home back in New Zealand and the chance to see a lot more of family has been pretty appealing for me and something Ive really been enjoying. Its been five years since Ive had a good break mentally... to have the last six weeks just doing nothing and resting, its been refreshing and its great to be home.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 01:51:04 +0000
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