League star worth the flight for proud Whakatane koro

By KATEE SHANKS in Whakatane
Toby Marshall has never been on a plane in all of his 79 years.
But when one of your more than 50 grandchildren is a rugby league star playing in his first NRL grand final - why not break a habit of a lifetime?
Mr Marshall, of Whakatane, is on his way to Sydney's Telstra Stadium where his grandson Benji Marshall's team Wests Tigers will clash with the North Queensland Cowboys on Sunday.
Benji, a former Whakatane High School student, 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 Mr Marshall on a plane for the first time in his life.
Mr Marshall has supported his grandson from the sidelines when he was still at Apanui Primary School - and he would have been content to simply watch the game on telly in the comfort of his lounge.
But after plenty of persuasion from his sons and daughters, Mr Marshall left Whakatane yesterday bound for Sydney, his flight paid for by Benji.
Other family members are already in Australia.
But there are 12 immediate family members and about 45 extended family and friends of Whakatane's latest sporting legend heading to the final.
At Whakatane Airport yesterday Mr 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 proud 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 admitted 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."