Former Kiwis rugby league halfback Benji Marshall has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Governor-General of New Zealand, Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro. Marshall was awarded with the honour due to his services to rugby league at a prestigious ceremony in Auckland on Tuesday, and said it was an extremely proud moment following a distinguished rugby league playing career. "Was a very proud moment today to receive my Companion of The New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) from @govgeneralnz Dame Cindy Kiro GNZM, QSO," Marshall wrote on Instagram. "To have some of the whānau there to support and be a part of it was a very proud moment." Marshall is set to feature as an Assistant Coach to Tim Sheens at Wests Tigers in 2023 before taking over as Head Coach for the first time in his career in 2025. The 2010 Golden Boot Winner, Marshall played 346 first-grade games across an illustrious career — including 257 at Wests Tigers where he won the Premiership in 2005. Making his New Zealand Test debut that year as Kiwis player #717, Marshall went on to play 31 Tests for the Kiwis including success at the 2008 World Cup.