Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys says there is no chance star five-eighth Benji Marshall will be released from his NRL contract so he can play rugby union in Japan.
Marshall’s manager, Martin Tauber, floated the idea of allowing Marshall to secure lucrative off-shore opportunities during the 2013-14 off-season following the announcement that Sonny Bill Williams had signed with the Sydney Roosters.
Williams, still contracted to Japanese rugby club Panasonic Wild Knights, will rejoin the NRL next season with the Roosters, four seasons after walking out on Canterbury in 2008.
Tauber unsuccessfully attempted to secure Marshall a stint in Japanese rugby in 2009 when then-NRL CEO David Gallop blocked a potential move, despite Marshall being off contract at the time.
Interim Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) CEO Shane Mattiske made it clear last week the code would not support players exploring opportunities in other sports while contracted to the NRL when he shut down Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus’ coaching role with Super Rugby team the Brumbies.
And with Marshall contracted until 2015 at the Tigers, any off-season activities would require a release from his current deal – a move Humphreys insists will not be happening.
“Let me put your minds at rest. This will not be happening,” Humphreys said in a statement.
“I have spoken with Benji’s manager, Martin Tauber, this morning who assures me that Benji is totally committed to his contract with Wests Tigers for the next three seasons.
“… Benji Marshall will remain an integral member of our team and will not be seeking a release from his contract.”
Last week, when responding to suggestions that the ARLC’s decision to block Buderus’ opportunity at the Brumbies was an overreaction, Mattiske said: “It is hard to envisage any circumstance where an agreement could be approved that allowed a current NRL player to promote another code competing in the same market as an NRL team.”
oikee
Guest
Just when league comes into a huge amount of money, all of a sudden Rugby union wants to join forces. The AIS needs to pull its head in as well. OZ rules are the ones who are stripping the country of players. Rugby league takes the leftovers that most codes dont want, it use to be the indigenous players, the Maori's and the Polynesians, and poor white trash we picked up.. Lets be honest. So now league has a chance to make it's mark, stake a claim,. 'and our code will', we have never been allowed to be free, with cash, and with businessmen running our game. Buderus can run off and join union now, quit the NRL. And i was reading a story today by a reporter. To stop this cross code nonsense, sign our players to yearly contracts. Done, dusted, you cant play another code if your contract lasts the whole year.. Rugby league is about to pump hundreds of millions into sports science, grassroots and the Islands International comps and the like. No way in the world should we support a AIS that is only interested in winning a gold at the Olympics in Rugby Union 7's that requires only 10 to 15 players every four years. Our codes are bigger than that, and the AIS can start with the AFL, they seem to have captured the markets totally down south. Maybe later Rugby League can join in and most of our players are unsuited anyhow. Preston Campbell and Dave Taylor wont be winning any Olympic sport, Maybe Shot putting, can that make Dave taylor a living. ? Utter Folly, Utter Nonsense. Rugby league is just getting the cannons loaded, dont try to destroy my fun, i have waited patiently for decades.
doozel
Guest
The almighty dollar does amazing things, these requests will put the next "we are playing too many games and are over worked" argument into perspective. It is tough being a professional sportsman...
Bearfax
Guest
Gee. What a surprise!. Mind you if I was managing a club I probably would have been receptive to Buderus' request to assist the Brumbies' coach with tackling training. And if it was a legit job I would not include it in the salary cap because its a separate job that doesnt place undue risk to the Newcastle's investment. But Benji playing union in Japan is a little more complicated, given that injury could cost West's big time, but again I'm not in principle against the idea. So what ars the issues? From a player's point of view they have a limited playing life and need to make as much in their decade as top line footballers to place them financially more secure when retirement comes. And playing union is likely to offer League more benefits than negatives, given the players bring back extra skills that probably make them a better commodity for League. If they chose to go the Union permanently, so be it...you cant stop them I know Union is a competing code and the League admin gets twitchy about losing their players to Union or Oz Rules or Soccer or athletics etc. But I think they are being far too insular and arent recognising that the benefits will probably outweigh the negatives. Stop Benji from a short stint in Union and he might just leave permanently if the money is right Just some comparisons. In the 70's Rugby League players often went to England or France in the off-season to play League. They maintained a better income and brought back skills not seen in Australia. Bob Fulton's stay at Warrington over several seasons made him a much better player. But look at cricket. Most top line player go to England in the off-season for experience and a boost to their income. In fact some players, such as the Chappells used to play baseball in the off-season. Some Oz Rules players go to Ireland for a time to pick up Gaelic football skills. And as for soccer...I need say no more. Yet each of those codes is thriving. Sport is a business for both clubs and players. Restriction of trade by League may very soon bring it into conflict with the freedom of trade act. And if you lose players to other codes, there are always enthusiastic youngsters ready to make a name for themselves as well as players possibly coming from other countries or codes. Such cross-fertilisation cant be that bad surely....and in fact its probably quite good.