Granty
29-09-2005, 09:24 AM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Benjis-granddad-breaks-habit-for-final/2005/09/29/1127804578804.html
Benji's granddad breaks habit for final
September 29, 2005 - 8:54AM
Toby Marshall, 79, has never been on a plane.
But when one of more than 50 grandchildren is a rugby league star playing in his first National Rugby League grand final and is paying for the trip, why not break the lifetime habit?
Marshall, of Whakatane, left for Sydney on Wednesday.
His grandson Benji Marshall's team Wests Tigers will play the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday in the final at Telstra Stadium.
Benji, a former Whakatane High School pupil, has starred for the Tigers and developed a fan base who worship the twinkle-toed five-eighth known for his elusive running and unique "hop" sidestep.
Benji phoned home to organise his koro's (grandfather's) trip - but it took a fair bit of convincing to get him on a plane for the first time in his life.
Marshall has supported his grandson from the sidelines when he was at Apanui Primary School, and he would have been content to watch the game on telly in the comfort of his lounge.
But after plenty of persuasion from his sons and daughters, Marshall left Whakatane for Sydney, his flight paid for by Benji.
Other family members are already in Australia.
Twelve immediate family members and about 45 extended family and friends of Whakatane's latest sporting legend are heading to the final.
At Whakatane Airport Marshall, besieged by media, kept a smile on his face and said he wasn't too worried about the ominous clouds and strong winds.
"I guess this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am a very proud koro," he said.
Not everyone in the family will be at the final.
Two of Benji's aunts, Judith Anderson and her sister Edith Marshall, said they'd be having a "chicks' night" in front of the television to watch the game.
"We can scream as loud as we want to with no guys around to tell us to be quiet," Mrs Anderson said.
She said the family was surprised at the attention her young nephew was getting.
"When he comes back to Whakatane he's just Benj and has his turn doing the dishes like the rest of us."
© 2005 AAP
Benji's granddad breaks habit for final
September 29, 2005 - 8:54AM
Toby Marshall, 79, has never been on a plane.
But when one of more than 50 grandchildren is a rugby league star playing in his first National Rugby League grand final and is paying for the trip, why not break the lifetime habit?
Marshall, of Whakatane, left for Sydney on Wednesday.
His grandson Benji Marshall's team Wests Tigers will play the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday in the final at Telstra Stadium.
Benji, a former Whakatane High School pupil, has starred for the Tigers and developed a fan base who worship the twinkle-toed five-eighth known for his elusive running and unique "hop" sidestep.
Benji phoned home to organise his koro's (grandfather's) trip - but it took a fair bit of convincing to get him on a plane for the first time in his life.
Marshall has supported his grandson from the sidelines when he was at Apanui Primary School, and he would have been content to watch the game on telly in the comfort of his lounge.
But after plenty of persuasion from his sons and daughters, Marshall left Whakatane for Sydney, his flight paid for by Benji.
Other family members are already in Australia.
Twelve immediate family members and about 45 extended family and friends of Whakatane's latest sporting legend are heading to the final.
At Whakatane Airport Marshall, besieged by media, kept a smile on his face and said he wasn't too worried about the ominous clouds and strong winds.
"I guess this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I am a very proud koro," he said.
Not everyone in the family will be at the final.
Two of Benji's aunts, Judith Anderson and her sister Edith Marshall, said they'd be having a "chicks' night" in front of the television to watch the game.
"We can scream as loud as we want to with no guys around to tell us to be quiet," Mrs Anderson said.
She said the family was surprised at the attention her young nephew was getting.
"When he comes back to Whakatane he's just Benj and has his turn doing the dishes like the rest of us."
© 2005 AAP