Rugby: Chris Benson continuing to impress

Napier Old Boys Marist prop Chris Benson at work as an accountant with PWC in Napier. Photo/Duncan Brown

Chris Benson cops stick from his old man and former Junior All Black Pat Benson on a regular basis.

"I play loosehead prop ... Dad reckons real men play the tighthead role because that's where he played," Benson the Hawke's Bay Insurances Limited Napier Old Boys Marist frontrower explained with a laugh yesterday.

If his father didn't let on he should have as he had every right to be proud of his son, a former Hastings Boys' High School dux, on Saturday. Benson produced a player-of-the-match performance against his former MAC team at Park Island as NOBM gained revenge for a first round 26-18 loss with a 45-9 victory. This saw Benson, 23, become the 13th weekly winner as the battle for the Tui-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award continued.

"We had a lot of fun at MAC but it's good to be playing for NOBM as my brothers and I spent a lot of time watching them play when we were young," Benson said.

He was referring to the fact his brothers, flanker and former Olympic Games swimmer William and utility back David play alongside him in a team which has his father on the coaching staff as was the case for the family at MAC last year. Despite Benson snr having had regular coaching stints with the side over the years Benson played his junior rugby from fifth to 12th grade for Hastings Rugby and Sports.

A late developer in frontrow terms, Benson, captained the Hastings Boys' High School 2nd XV during his final year at secondary school before heading to Victoria University in Wellington to study accounting and mathematics. After graduating he spent time travelling in the United States and Canada where he played for Velox in Victoria.

"The standard of club rugby wasn't the same as it is here but we had a lot of fun," Benson said.

Seldom bettered at scrum time, Benson, is impressing spectators with his improving mobility around the paddock. Last year he had a stint with the Magpies wider training group.

"I've got a few work-ons to improve before I go back and I'll keep those to myself," Benson said, keen to not to give any future opponents an advantage.

Although NOBM have recorded two losses in four Maddison Trophy round fixtures to date, he is confident they will reach the semifinals. "All of our five losses this season have been close encounters ... more a bit of bad luck than anything else."

A former national age group swimming titleholder and medal winner at national level with Ocean Beach Kiwi surf lifesaving teams, Benson, works as an accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. With his rugby commitments "after hours" he is rapt to have the balance between mental and physical slogs.