Benji Marshall hopeful of representing Kiwis in historic Denver Test against England

  • 04/03/2018
The former captain hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2012.
The former captain hasn't played for the Kiwis since 2012. Photo credit: Photosport

Wests Tigers playmaker Benji Marshall says he would love to wear the Kiwis jersey again in the Denver Test against England on June 24 (NZ time).

The Test at Denver's Mile-High Stadium will be the first of three annual Tests between the two sides to be held in North America as the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) start to grow the game ahead of the 2025 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States and Canada.

There has been some resistance to the mid-year Test from the clubs, as players could opt to skip the Test due to the short turnaround when the NRL competition restarts just days later.

Despite that, Marshall - who last played for New Zealand in 2012 - would love the opportunity to represent his country once again.

"It would be great to play over there," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"Representing your country, I've always felt it's the highest honour in the game. We don't get to play Origin so we don't know what that's like. Playing for New Zealand is the greatest honour you can achieve in the game.

"Growing up as a kid, you want to represent your country so if the opportunity comes, I would 100 percent take it. I'm sure all the other Kiwi boys feel the same way.

"I can see where the clubs are coming from with the investment they make in players every year. If you do go over, you probably won't be able to play the next week with jetlag, it's probably not doable with recovery times and stuff.

"From my point of view, it's something I would do to play for my country."

NRL CEO Todd Greenberg confirmed that there have been "discussions" about potentially playing NRL matches in the United States as early as next year.

The game in North America has grown in interest over the last 12 months, following the inclusion of the Toronto Wolfpack in England's Rugby Football League, and there have been talks of a New York-based team entering the competition in the coming years.

Due to the growth of the sport, Marshall insists the NRL takes a game to the US - where he believed the sport would be a hit.

"It's a great chance to grow the game internationally," Marshall said.

"We can see how America does their sports and how much money is involved. We'll be able to showcase our game over there without pads and helmets. They would freak out - everyone I speak to when I go to America says, 'You don't wear helmets? That's crazy.'

"If they got the opportunity to see that first-hand, it would be an opportunity to grow the game over there."

Newshub.