Benji, Benji Marshall: my game, my story

by Glenn Jackson

"Benji equals anybody I've seen in terms of flair, and making something happen he is a remarkable talent, born out of living on the edge. That's the way he is. He was made to be a footballer..." -Wayne Bennett

Benji Marshall is a sporting superstar- a once in a generation player.
This is his story- from growing up in a small NZ town, born to a young mother (and a father he's never met) to today- winner of the Golden Boot Award, and acknowledged
as the best rugby league player in the world.
He was a natural player from the very beginning. He was just 18 years of age and on a sporting scholarship at the Gold Coast school, when he first played for Wests Tigers against Newcastle and he's played for Wests ever since.
He's been a part of the stunning Grand Final victory against the North Queensland Cowboys, New Zealand's victory in the 2008 world cup, and was New Zealand captain when the Kiwis won the Four Nations series in 2010.

This is Benji Marshall as you've never seen him before- an inside account of sport played at the very highest level, by a true master of the game (taken from back and inside cover respectively)

Genres: Biography

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji Marshall has long been my favorite player in the NRL. He has always been exciting to watch; every time he gets the ball my heart leaps into my mouth and I hold my breath and hope. Even if we're down on points, I always think if anyone can pull us up, it will be him. He'll pass, he'll run, he'll remind the boys that he's there, and he believes they can catch one of his crazy passes.

What I've never seen is anything personal, except for small snatches of blundering news stories. To read his stories in his own words, it felt like he was sitting beside me, describing everything in his own voice. I've read many biographies and autobiographies, but there was never a point I felt like the editor had changed something, or told him to tone it down.

I love NRL, and I love Wests Tigers. I bought this book because of these reasons, but I couldn't know I was picking up a personal, beautiful story that drags you down through the lows of surgery and death, and pulls you up with friends, family and footy mates. An excellent read, whether you support the Tigers or not. When you open this book you will find more about family and friendship than tackles and passes.

[Isaac Mcnickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book because my dad recommended it to me. Also because i wanted to see how Benji plays on the inside. this completes the autobiography on the bingo board.
this category is interesting because you see the lives behind the stars. my favorite quote from the book is.. I feel I can play 80 minutes. I might lack a bit of match fitness, but a Test is a different arena and the adrenaline can get you through.
-Benji Marshall

Because this shows even if he is unfit he will always fight for his team which shows a great example of a leader

Something i learned from this book is that no matter how many injuries you have you can always bounce back. Benji Marshall is an interesting character who plays very good for the amount of things he has been through and no obstacle stopped him from achieving his dream which inspires me heaps



highly RECOMMEND!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xdixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benji Marshall is easily the best book I have read this year. From his dad leaving home to the part where he is arguably one of the best rugby players the world has ever seen. He was born and raised in Whakatane and had many brothers. It was hard to adjust to rugby league after he played union for so many years. When he first started out he recieved alot of criticism for the way that he played, with some of the flick passes and other very hard passes to do everyone thought that he could only do those tricky passes and couldn't do the normal style of rugby league. Later in his career he got followed by many of the Australian journalists for him allegedly punching someone when that was not the case. This happened over many days and the only way to escape the cameras he found was to tell his friend to come through an underground parking area where he would hop in the back of his friends car and put his hoodie on so nobody could see him. Some other struggles he had in his career were his four shoulder injuries. But he has had alot of success. This includes winning the NRL grand final with the Wests Tigers and getting his major goal for one year and did never miss a game for the Wests Tigers He also won the four nations title At one time he had a lable and everyone said he shouldn't be playing NRL but he has improved so much he is one of the best players in the NRL. In one of the games someone was commentating and said he was going to be the next Brad Fitler.

I recommend that people between the age of 11 - infinity would enjoy reading this unbelievable book.

[J Sindone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best player in the modern game deserves the best book.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rated it *****