Benji's ?Epiphany?

Tuesday 19 April 2005 ? Auckland, New Zealand

BENJI?S ?EPIPHANY?

In reports from Australia, debutant Kiwi Benji Marshall says he decided he wanted to be a Kiwi while wearing the Australian Schoolboys? green and gold while watching the Junior Kiwis perform the Haka.

The Australian Schoolboys played two tests against the Junior Kiwis in 2003 winning the first at North Harbour Stadium and losing the return match in Wellington.

For the trivia buffs, the Junior Kiwi side whose Haka raised the hair on Benji?s neck, included fellow Kiwi squad members Louis Anderson, Thomas Leuluai and Bronson Harrison. Wearing an Australian jersey and watching the Junior Kiwi Haka with Benji was one Karmichael Hunt.

The Kiwis Team Manager Peter Leitch says the team would love to get messages of support from NZ while preparing on the Gold Coast and these can be faxed to 0061-7-3236 3891 or email H1750@accor.com