NRL: Accuser denies racial taunt

An alleged quip about Bronco Darren Lockyer set Benji Marshall off. Photo / Getty Images

The man allegedly punched by Benji Marshall has denied he racially abused the Kiwis captain - he merely told him that Broncos star Darren Lockyer was a better player.

Marshall, 26, was charged with assault on Sunday after allegedly punching a 24-year-old man at 3.20am on Saturday outside a McDonald's restaurant in Sydney. Another man, apparently Marshall's friend, punched the man on the cheek.

Marshall's manager Martin Tauber has claimed the West Tigers playmaker, named the face of the NRL in 2011, was provoked after being repeatedly called a "black c***" and being told to "go back to New Zealand".

However, police will instead allege the victim said: "Hey Benji, Lockyer's better than you," Sydney's Daily Telegraph reported. The alleged victim is an Australian of Middle Eastern background and has repeatedly denied making racist remarks.

NRL boss David Gallop said he would wait for the outcome of police investigations and a report from the Tigers - due yesterday - before taking any action.

Before the assault Marshall had gone out for a few drinks after speaking at a cancer fundraising event, and according to a woman who was in the McDonald's at the time of the fracas, was in good spirits.

"He was in a suit, all dressed up ... my friend and I took a photo with him I'd say 40 seconds before the fight broke out," the witness, named Jenny, told a Sydney radio station. "A few guys came up to him - a lot were shaking his hand. Then we saw Benji Marshall start to cross the road, then he turns around and walked back with a friend. It all broke out."

She said Marshall was not drunk and was a "good sport" about signing autographs, but did not hear what caused the fight.

"We did hear one voice call out to him. For him to turn around, it must have been quite nasty."

New Zealand league identities spoken to yesterday said they were surprised that Marshall had snapped but could understand why he did.

"It's always the detail that we don't receive. I think people don't realise that there are a whole lot of people out there who antagonise and want something to happen when you go out," former Kiwis captain Richie Barnett said. "But at the end of the day you've just got to learn to walk away. And I think it's probably a lesson that he'll learn."

Richard Blackmore, who coached the New Zealand Maori team last year, said that over time racial slurs - assuming that was what was directed at Marshall - became a "sore spot" for Pacific Island and Maori players.

"The question is if you're getting racially abused, do you retaliate? I think more than anything else, it does become tiring. And it probably hasn't been the first time."

Sir Peter Leitch, better known as the Mad Butcher, said he had known Marshall for years in his capacity as a manager and was proud to call him a friend. He said Marshall was "a lover not a fighter", but there were times when you had to stand up for yourself.

However, former international Tawera Nikau said that although he felt sorry for Marshall, people in the limelight needed to learn to walk away.

Marshall will appear in Downing Centre Local Court on April 20, and it is believed he will play in the first round next Monday.

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