Rugby league star Benji Marshall has announced a switch of code and country, signing a two-year deal with Super Rugby team the Blues.
In a widely anticipated move, the 28-year-old will end his 11-year career with the Wests Tigers by shifting to Auckland when the NRL season finishes.
He said in a statement he is excited by the prospect of playing under the Blues coaching staff, led by Sir John Kirwan, who has driven the negotiations with Marshall over the past month.
“Based on what JK has told me about the winning culture the Blues are working to create and where he sees my part in that, I’m really looking forward to this next stage of my sporting career,” Marshall said.
He said he made up his mind following a recent visit to Auckland with wife Zoe, where he was impressed by the city and the Blues’ facilities.
Whakatane-born Marshall last played rugby in his early teenage years before taking up a rugby league scholarship in Queensland.
His career blossomed, the flamboyant playmaker going on to guide the Tigers to a premiership in 2005, inspire New Zealand in their World Cup triumph in 2008 and captain his country.
Kirwan believes Marshall can shine in his return to rugby.
“Benji has the ability to break open a game; he’s one of those players that does the right thing at the right time. He has great footwork and a good passing game so we can see those attributes really being beneficial to the Blues and to rugby union.”
Kirwan says he hasn’t determined what position Marshall will play but will consider him at five-eighth, inside centre and fullback.
“We’re leaning towards 15 (fullback) but we’ll just have to wait until he joins the team for pre-season training and see how it goes.”
Marshall had considered pursuing a place in the Kiwis squad for the rugby league World Cup but a Blues spokesman said he had ruled that out.
He is also unlikely to play any rugby in the domestic NPC, which starts this month, meaning his first taste of rugby will be in the Blues’ Super Rugby pre-season campaign early next year.
New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew welcomed Marshall and the appeal he would bring to rugby supporters.
“He has the X factor that excites fans so I am sure he will add much to the Blues, as well as being the sort of player that will inspire younger players.”
The deal with the Blues is reportedly worth about $NZ500,000 ($A444,250) a season, a considerable pay cut on what he earned with the Tigers and related promotional deals in Sydney.
Kippa
Guest
Winning culture at the blues???????
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
It'll be interesting to see how he goes. Wests Tigers seem to be a basket case at the moment and it certainly wouldn't be enjoyable playing their. Hopefully we will see him get back to some good form.
Roarer
Guest
What about BTV?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I can't understand why he wouldn't play some ITM Cup games, it would be beneficial for all parties. I assume that finishes in October, he wouldn't play again until February, plenty of rest time IMO.
pogo
Guest
Well I wasn't really in favour of going out of our way to lure Benji Marshall, but what's done is done and I hope he is a raging success. Hopefully he gets to play for Auckland in the ITM cup, latest word is that Pivac wants him but Kirwan wants him to rest. I reckon it would do him and Auckland good.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I don't think halfback would suit him at all. Halfbacks have very little space to work with Benji is at his best in space.
Blackboy
Guest
Benji would be better at halfback!!! He needs to change his sulky attitude he is showing at the Tigers of late
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Mean cuzzy. I'm sure a change of scenery will get that mind and body refreshed. Some interesting selections are going to take place at the Blues next season. I can't see Benji playing 10 straight away but that could well be his final destination. There is talk of Piutau moving to centre which imo would be a master stroke for NZ rugby in general. To me he is the best all round ball carrier in NZ. With Saili there are a few options. Benji could play 12 and Saili centre leaving Piutau at the back. Or a formidable centre combination of Saili and Piutau could see Benji at fullback. I would prefer the latter. I don't think it will take Benji much time to find his feet at all, the guy knows rugby it's not a new game to him. Once he understands the Blues style and game-plan then he will slot straight in. The things he will provide off the paddock make this a good investment imo. He is a seasoned professional and a world cup winner. His input into the attacking side of things will also be huge. He is very good at directing a team. His tackling technique is the only real concern but there are other guys like Barret who seem to make us forget about that side of things pretty quickly.