The NSW Waratahs have thrown their hat in the ring for Benji Marshall as the rugby league superstar prepares to quit the NRL after this season.
“We’ve been chatting with his manager now for a couple of years and we are definitely interested in bringing Benji Marshall to the Waratahs,” said Waratahs chief executive Jason Allen.
However, he made it clear the Waratahs’ biggest immediate priorities were retaining league convert Israel Folau – sure to get an upgraded deal after a stellar first season – and signing free agent, Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale.
Marshall’s manager Martin Tauber made it clear on Tuesday that the 28-year-old playmaker was intent on a switch to rugby union after seeking a release from Wests Tigers, his home for the past 13 years.
“He just feels he needs to get his mojo back and feels he’s going to have to do that in rugby,” said Tauber.
It sparked renewed speculation about New Zealander Marshall’s next destination, with the Waratahs and Auckland-based fellow Super Rugby club the Blues to the fore after confirming talks.
While Marshall may struggle to match the money he was offered to stay at Wests Tigers – he could possibly top up a Super Rugby deal with a stint in the lucrative Japanese club rugby competition.
Tauber dropped a tantalising hint that he could head to the Waratahs.
“He’s already had a conversation with Izzy (Folau) about playing rugby – they’d be a devastating duo,” Tauber said.
The prospect of Marshall linking with the likes of Folau and Beale would delight Waratahs fans but Allen did not offer great cause for confidence.
“There could be a slight opportunity but there are a lot of things that need to fall into place and come our way with Benji Marshall,” said Allen.
“We’ve got some very big decisions pending with Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale and they are our priorities right now.
“But we can’t close the door just yet.”
The Melbourne Rebels were quick to dismiss any suggestion of chasing Marshall – or any link with their shock decisions to part with wayward Wallabies utility backs James O’Connor and Beale in the past fortnight.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan hoped to lure Marshall back to New Zealand.
“I’ve spoken to him. He’s a guy who is excited about the next stage of his professional career,” Kirwan told Fairfax on Tuesday.
“It didn’t get down to whether we were a part of his mix.
“What I got out of the conversation was he was genuinely thinking about changes in his life.
“I’ve spoken to his manager and we’re part of what he is thinking moving forward. We’re in the mix I’m sure.
“He’ll be assessing what’s on the table and I’m sure the Blues aren’t the only people talking to him.”
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly believed Marshall could make a succesful transition but said the biggst adjustment would be getting used to the closeness of the defensive line.
“There is not as much space to operate in, in rugby and that is something he will have to get used to,” Connolly said. “He will have to learn how to create that space.
“Like Quade Cooper he has a good left and right pass that can create space for his outside men.
“There will be a transition but I am sure he will make a sucess of it.”
Mango Jack
Guest
+1
Cattledog
Roar Guru
Nailed it Short-Blind. Too old, too slow, too late for a worthwhile investment.
Garth
Guest
The Highlanders are looking for a 10. He has no show of getting into the main AB side, good shot at the 7's though & a chance at an Olympic medal could soothe any monetaryworries.
Ash
Guest
Not necessarily. Look at Brad Thorn.
handles
Guest
Radio yesterday said he was a dual citizen. Having never played rep rugby anywhere else, there would be no residency requirement in either case.
handles
Guest
All the Queenslanders are over on the SOO thread.
El Cao Putrido
Roar Rookie
perhaps Michael Cheika and the Waratahs board are trying to hype him up and compete for his signature so that the Auckland Blues would up the ante and want him more, tick one other team off next years list, imagine that ....
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
That'll do me. I thought about following the Waratah's again next season, but the is no way now. Even if they do not sign Marshall, just wanting the has been is enough to show that headlines will once again take precedence over rugby.
JamesN
Guest
Mate you're dreaming
Football United
Guest
Fair point about the top players being in Super Rugby but the key word was "Club Rugby". Super rugby is franchised provinces, not real clubs.
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
Denby, wasn't it you who thought Israel Folau was rubbish and would never make the Wallabies?
Simon_Sez
Roar Guru
England won the world cup in 2003 from a Jonny Wilkinson field goal. This opportunity to kick a field goal was given to him by the league convert Matt Rogers, who in the last 2 mins of overtime, he kicked the ball from within the 22 rather than hanging on to the ball. He handed possession back to England who stayed inside Australia's half...dumb play. Matt Rogers was a great player but not a natural rugby player.
Denby
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Foley is coming along well, lets not stuff that up for a player who is near the end of his career and needs to learn a whole new set of rules and tactics.
Denby
Roar Rookie
To be up front, I don't think he should go to the Waratahs. I really dont think they need him and I don't think it would be the best place for him. I think Auckland is the best fit. I personally believe he has virtually no chance of making the Wallabies and absolutely no chance of making the All Blacks. So following that, he will be playing half the the season in super rugby and half the season in ITM cup (or whatever sponsor they have now). But my comment was not based on what I think Benji should do, my original comment was a retort to your statement that Heineken Cup is the most prestigious competition in the world. This, I believe is not true. It is impossible to have the most prestigious competition in the world when the best players in the world do not play in it, most of them play in super rugby.
El Cao Putrido
Roar Rookie
Please NSW Waratahs, do not sign Benji, it would be another long list of disasters, it would fall into the dumb category list with the like of Tom Carter, Nathan Blacklock, Sam Norton-Knight et al .....he's a kiwi as well, go let him play for the blues and try his heart out to get in the squad for the All Blacks
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He wont play for Australia. He said so.
Rhys Maiden
Roar Pro
Cam Crawford though, Betham doesn't have the ball skills
matty
Guest
If that were the case, he would of represented the Kangaroos years ago
Anne
Roar Rookie
It still would be a massive kick in the guts for the NRL. I love league but can see how players can look at the travel and experiences Union has to offer and not be tempted. Particularly guys who've been 8+ years only doing the Melbourne, Brisbane & Nth Qld trek.
Football United
Guest
yet it only goes for 16 games, if he goes to the Waratah's he will end up sitting on his arse for half the year once the SR season is over. And please it's not like every team in super rugby are world beaters, the big ones liek Queensland, A.C.T, Canterbury, Pretoria and the Chiefs are obviously top sides and worth playing but the usual bottom half of SR would do anything but struggle in the group stage of the Heineken Cup.