Sports News

LEAGUE: BENJI MARSHALL THE KIWI HOPES FOR THE AWARD :)

Kiwis captain Benji Marshall is one of eight players - and the only New Zealander - vying for the International Player of the Year title to be presented at the Rugby League International Federation's (RLIF) annual awards at Eden Park tomorrow night.

Marshall, 25, is set to lead the Kiwis for the 10th time when they face Australia in the main event of Saturday night's Four Nations doubleheader at New Zealand rugby union's home Eden Park.

After helping Wests Tigers continue a run deep into the National Rugby League (NRL) finals this year, Marshall has been nominated as one of the finalists for the top international award.

Also in the hunt are Australian fullback Billy Slater - who won the inaugural award in 2008 - along with two other NRL stars Darius Boyd and Todd Carney, an Australian (Pat Richards) who helped Wigan to Super League success and three England internationals in James Graham, Adrian Morley and Sam Tomkins.

Three Kiwis Kieran Foran, Ben Matulino and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are among the finalists for the International Rookie of the Year award.