He said he wanted to make a considered decision as if he went off half-cocked the matter could be appealed by either side.
Benney had been out drinking with friends the evening before he was caught and had organised a sober driver. However, the following morning a friend asked Benney to give him a ride home and when stopped by police he had a level of 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. There is a zero alcohol limit for motorists under 20.
Mr Puriri said earlier that Benney had taken the right precautions the previous evening with using a sober driver, but he did realise alcohol stayed in his system for that long.
Being caught drink driving had put paid to Benney's dream of being a police officer. His father Gavin Benney is a senior constable at Hikurangi Police.
A conviction would prevent Benney from getting a visa to work in many countries and cost him any chance of playing professional rugby overseas.
Northland Rugby Union wrote a letter in support of Benney's application.
