Benji Marshall has had an emotional welcome back to the Kiwis jersey.
Marshall's seven-year exile from international rugby league came to an end when the Kiwis hosted Tonga at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday night.
The former skipper hasn't played a test since his ill-fated, six-month switch to rugby union in 2013, not wanted by two Kiwis coaches since.
But new coach Michael Maguire welcomed the 34-year-old back this week and Marshall repaid his new coach, playing a starring role in a 34-14 Kiwis win.
But it was before the opening whistle when Marshall's emotions were on full display, the 2005 NRL premiership winner shedding tears during the New Zealand national anthem.
Following that, Marshall led a supercharged Kiwis haka much to the delight of the pro-Tongan crowd at the home of rugby league.
Newshub.
