All the facts are yet to be revealed, however, it has been alleged that Benji hit another man in the face after he was racially taunted, and Benji’s manager has confirmed at least that part of the story.
Regardless of what other details are revealed, you can be sure that over the next couple of days or weeks, you’ll hear multiple versions of the following types of comments in the media:
- “Bloody rugby league players, always in trouble”
- “Why are rugby league players always getting drunk?”
- “What was he doing out at 3am in the morning?”
- “Why didn’t he just walk away?”
- “Violence isn’t the answer to racism”
- “The curse of being the ‘face of league’ strikes again!”
Etc, etc.
Essentially, anyone who isn’t a fan of rugby league, Benji Marshall, Wests Tigers or common sense, will join in with those media identities who love the sound of their voice, to create a wave of criticism against Marshall and rugby league.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Freedom of speech is one of the many qualities that makes this country great. Unfortunately, it’s the same quality that enables people to get on their high horse and pass judgement, instead of sensibly and objectively viewing incidents like the one Benji was involved in.
Benji had been hosting a charity function earlier in the night, where he had helped raise $250,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia. His duties had finished around midnight, and he decided to have a few drinks with his girlfriend and some other friends. On their way home after 3am, they stopped to get some McDonalds.
It was there that the incident allegedly occurred, when a group of 8-10 people allegedly called Benji a “black Kiwi c–t”, and told him to “go back home to New Zealand.” Benji shrugged off the comments the first two times, but a third racial insult was one too many for him, and he is alleged to have retaliated.
The man that was allegedly struck then reported the incident to police, and that is where the matter now lies. As he went to police, they’ll obviously have his name on file.
As such, his name should be released to the media. If Benji is going to cop some flak for an alleged mild assault, then this individual should be named and shamed as a racist (assuming he did in fact say this as has been claimed).
I think we need to ask what reaction the alleged racial taunter was expecting. In his world, I’m guessing the ideal response from Benji would have been for him to get straight on a plane to New Zealand, and never come back. Or maybe it would be for Benji to have changed his skin colour and nationality on the spot.
Seriously, when a drunken yobbo racially taunts someone, he’s looking for a reaction. Well he got one, and then he whinged to police about it. The minute he allegedly yelled out “black Kiwi c–t”, he was asking to be punched.
It’s pretty simple really – if you’re in a pub and order a beer, you can’t complain when you get served a beer. This guy got his beer.
I don’t condone violence, but I’ll be honest and say that there is a large part of me that applauds Benji for defending himself and allegedly giving the guy a tap on the nose.
Why? How else were these guys going to learn that racism isn’t OK? If Benji had gone to the police to complain about the taunts, nothing would have happened.
If Benji had simply walked away, like so many people say he should have, then those guys would continue to believe that it was OK to racially abuse someone. It seems Benji took a stand, and let these guys know that what they were saying wasn’t right. And I for one applaud him for it.
Yes, applauding violence is politically incorrect. Whatever. But you won’t change my mind that the guy seems to have got what he asked for.
I realise that confronting racism via violence is hypocritical and counter-productive. I realise Benji is a role model, and punching someone sends the wrong message to children. And in light of such terrible incidents like David Hookes’ sad death, I realise that suggesting it’s OK to punch someone is just plain wrong.
I also understand that the situation could have gotten out of hand very easily, and someone could have been seriously injured, or worse.
I can’t dispute any of those points, nor can I defend violence in any form.
But I’m also a realist.
And the reality is, assuming the events played out as media reports appear to show, then the guy deserved to be held accountable in some way for what he apparently said. You may not agree with me, but really, it’s not about you, and it’s not about me.
Some things are bigger than your or my opinion. Some things are bigger than political correctness. Some things are bigger than rugby league. Some things are bigger than the ‘image’ of the game. Some things are even bigger than a little punch-up.
Racism, and standing up to it, is one of those ‘things’.
Chances are, if you’re a white Australian, you have no idea what it feels like to be racially taunted. As such, I think it would be difficult for you to truly comment on what you would have done, or what Benji should have done. You can certainly disagree with what he did, but you need to be careful passing judgement if you’re not entirely ‘qualified’ to speak about your personal reaction to racism.
David Gallop needs to be measured in his response to this incident. Let’s be honest, in the file of NRL atrocities, this hardly rates a mention.
Whilst it’s never good for the game to be in the papers for something other than the game itself, the truth is, this isn’t a bad look for the game, it’s a much worse look for our country and the perception that we’re racist.
There will be no long term damage to the game. Sponsors are not going to drop off because of this incident. Crowd numbers are not going to drop because of this incident. TV ratings are not going to drop off because of this incident.
The vast majority of Australians, not to mention New Zealanders, will understand Benji’s reaction.
Not all will agree with it, but I don’t think Benji is going to lose any fans over this incident. In fact, he’ll probably gain some.
The NRL, the police, media and fans should all keep this incident within the perspective it deserves.
Give Benji a slap on the wrist, and then jog along.
Let’s get on with the season.
katipo
Guest
Rastafari Rulz, mate I've been thinking you actually need a good smack in the face yourself. Please give your self one. What you really need though is an education. Have you ever heard of Te Whiti? Do you know what he stood for - and died for?
Rastafari Rulz
Guest
Good on ya Benji - I applaud you for standing up for not just yourself but for all other people who are call 'black c' most of the dribble I've read above haven't a clue unless they've been called that. Yes, NRL and the Australian Government should work together and educate some of these clueless racist retards. They've obviously gotten away with it before regardless whether your a women, man or child. I find it interesting that Maori - Fijian - Tongan - Samoan - Indigenous players are often taunted both on or off the field. It's disgraceful - If nothing can protect our players then expect to be punched in the face. Oh I'm sorry you say it's the law??? A law for who exactly? Australia says no to racsim, NOT!
Tigers Fan
Guest
It's ridiculous in your opinion, apaway. Plenty of people on here disagree with you, and don't think it's ridiculous at all.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
"I have seen first hand what violence can do and what uintended reprucssions it can have. i dont care what somewhere says, sometimes its better to walk away." The racist should have thought about that before he went out of his way to provoke Marshall into hitting him. It's obvious he wanted Marshall to do that. "Perhaps Benji could have reminded the gentleman that he may well be a black c*nt, but he still earns 20 times more then the guy hurling the abuse. violence was not the answer, and i object to nayone who suggests it is." The tap on the mouth might teach the racist to keep his big mouth shut. Other racists might think twice in the future.
Queensland's game is rugby league
Guest
I"m Caucasian but I'm on Benji's side for standing up to an abusive bigot. His actions will do more to end racism than anything the politically correct have ever done. Give Benji a medal!
Yuri
Guest
Dude, Google Gorgonite. What a sad little character this is. Putting down league is probably his only way of feeling big.... sort of like the guy Benji nutted.
Tigers Fan
Guest
I'm not condoning violence, and never once did I say I was. But hey, it seems you don't like the facts to get in the way of your opinion. If he is proven to have assaulted someone, then, and only then, should he be punished. To punish someone who may be innocent is just ridiculous. And just because you're charged, it doesn't mean your guilty. " a few games seems appropriate until he is cleared of the offence"....so you've already cleared him, have you? So why is he getting suspended then? Your comments make no sense at all. And you believe that anyone who likes 'big hits' is an ill-behaved, rowdy, ill mannered scumbag???? My goodness, I have no idea how to even comment on that, it's so ridiculous. You're extremely out of touch with rugby league.
esperanza
Guest
Tigers Fan, Many thanks for your comments which show you are obviously happy to condone violence in the game. Benji was charged because the Police believe he assaulted someone, although the reason is not yet clear The assault apparently was observed by numerous people. Most people who are charged with assault would expect to be suspended until their name had been cleared and the precedent for being stood down pending the outcome of a court case is well known to Police, Politicians, School Teachers, etc, Why should footballers be exempt from being stood down? It is a form of punishment and the fact that he has been charged means there is a very good chance that he did commit an act of violence and even though the case against him has not been proven the alternative is to make it appear that irresponsible, spur of the moment bad behaviour will be tolerated and rewarded. Benji is potentially innocent and should have perhaps voluntarily stood down until after the case had been heard. You also say that you could claim a week before the finals that Lockyer/Carney/inglis assaulted you and that would get them suspended and give your team a better chance of winning.....if the game ever gets to that stage it would be time to give it away and with the way violent behaviour is being continually tolerated in the League that time is fast approaching. Benjis' situation appears to be quite different. He allegedly hurt someone in front of numerous witnessess and missing a few games seems appropriate until he is cleared of the offence. It would certainly send the right message to other players about the leagues' attitude to violence and they would hopefully therefore restrain their behaviour. , You claim that the incident was not part of Rugby League ,but to my mind, much of what Benji does is part of Rugby league whether on the field or off it . He has after all been touted as the Face of Rugby League. As for the people who love the game for the "biffo" and the big "hits", you would have to observe as I have done that they are generally ill behaved ,rowdy , ill mannered, scumbags. The game is admittedly rough and tumble and thats fine but I have trouble in justifying the biffo to younger players.
Tigers Fan
Guest
Suspend him until his name is cleared? So he doesn't get to play, even though he may be proven innocent? That's ridiculous, why should he be punished if he ends up being innocent? You think that is 'common sense'? You say 'allowing him to escape suspension sends the wrong message'. But punishing a potentially innocent man sends the right message? By that rationale, the week before the finals, I'll accuse Lockyer/Carney/Inglis, etc of assaulting me. They'll end up being proven innocent, but they'll be suspended in the meantime, which means my team has a better chance of winning. If Benji is found guilty, he'll have to accept any punishment that comes his way, both legally and from the NRL. But suspending someone before they've been proven to have done something wrong sets a very dangerous precedent. As for your point about violence, this story has got nothing to do with it being condoned in the sport. This happened outside McDonalds - it's got nothing to do with rugby league, really. And you think violence will eventually kill the game? You might want to clarify your definition of violence, because a large majority of fans watch the game to see big hits. And yeah, dare I say it, a bit of biffo. You might not want to admit it, but it's true. It's a violent sport, hence its popularity.
BrisbaneGrowl
Guest
Timnaik, you actually don't have the freedom to react however you like. Assult is illegal, and for good reason
Yuri
Guest
Ben, "Obviously the police were nearby"? If that were the case, why did the moron mouthing off have to go to a police station to make his complaint instead of running to one of these nearby coppers and pointing Benji out then and there. Benji smacked him in the mouth and that should have been the end of it. But no. Damage someone's career because you've been made to look a loser after you failed to back up your mouth is so much easier. Name him. If he was in the right he has nothing to fear.
esperanza
Guest
Benji is a nice bloke and a great player so it seems almost unbelievable that he would punch someone whilst sober given that he would be well aware of the dire consequences of such behavior. The proper thing in my opinion would be to suspend him until his name is cleared, to let him play inspite of being charged by the Police leaves serious doubts in my mind about the common sense and motives of the Rugby League Board. Allowing him to escape suspension sends all the wrong messages to younger players and footie loving kids. Many of the letters on this site regarding this matter seem to condone the violence which is becoming an accepted part of the game. Wake up all.......violence will eventually kill the game unless it is stamped out. No violence can ever be condoned in any sport and those who allow it to continue will allow the game to degenerate into a sport for thugs,
apaway
Guest
Agreed Turbodewd, although comments about the article's premise - that racists will learn not to be racists if they get thumped - deserve to be made, for that is a ridiculous assertion.
Katipo
Guest
Hmmm, which is worse verbal attacks or physical attacks? Neither are particularly good. Disappointing behaviour all around.
turbodewd
Guest
There are 2 sides to every story. Everyone should pause. For all we know Marshall might be half at fault or the aggressor?! Dont jump to conclusions fellas ;^)
Spencer
Guest
Pound that keyboard, tough guy!! ;)
trumpetblower
Guest
another insightful contribution KOG? Mate isn't there a yawnion thread somewhere that you could be part of and leave the men talk about the sport we like?
apaway
Guest
"Why? How else were these guys going to learn that racism isn’t OK?" So Ryan, presumably you believe that a person so ignorant as to hold racist views will learn to stop holding these views if a person of the very race he seems to despise belts him. I hope you're not a school teacher.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
mate Im a hotel manager on hindley street in Adelaide, and Ive seen more racially induced violence in 5 years of working nights and weekends than any man should have to put up with. I cannot condone it. You can be arrested for racial vilification and disturbing the peace here (if not inciting a riot), but generally the police have more important things to attend to like assault and battery.
Timnaik
Guest
Well Wookie if someone was racially taunting me for absolutely no apparent reason I would give that guy a serious ass-whooping! You have a different view and that's why this is the Roar/opinion because everybody has the freedom to react as they see fit. Benji is accountable for his actions but this is nothing. So my brother from another mother please don't get all high and mighty over something if you don't know what its like to be in the minority.