Benji Marshall looks set to return to the NRL as soon as this season, with the playmaker unlikely to return to top-flight Super Rugby this year.
Blues coach John Kirwan has told Marshall that it would be unlikely he would feature in the plans of the Super Rugby club this season, and reports from New Zealand have suggested that Marshall will seek to return to rugby league.
Marshall has started for the Blues just once in eight rounds of Super Rugby, with limited opportunities from the bench culminating in 212 minutes of game time.
Although the former Wests Tigers star was originally said to be taking a long-term view of getting up to speed with the game in the hope of appearing in the 2015 World Cup, it appears the prospects of playing the rest of 2014 in the lower tiers did not suit.
Marshall, 29, has instructed his manager Martin Tauber to open talks with NRL clubs.
“It just hasn’t worked out, it is disappointing,” Tauber told News Corp.
“He’s not had the game time he’d like. This has all happened over the last 36 hours.”
Marshall must seek to get a release from New Zealand Rugby Union, and find an NRL club before the June 30 cut-off for signing for this season.
Garth
Guest
What I find hilarious are the comments by a certain Australian League show that this was a deliberate set-up by the NZRU, designed to prove rugby is the better sport. Have they no understanding of the difference between the NZ & Aussie rugby scenes? We don't need to "sabotage" a league convert to do that, that's what the current Warriors are for.
therugbyfan
Guest
so are you saying the amount of League games you play will dictate how well you'll go in Union? Btw I was also comparing Izzy's transition to SBW btw did Marshall play more minutes at FB or flyhalf?
Mike
Guest
Okay, good comeback.
Short-Blind
Guest
Waka, your NZ best perspective is correct. However from his personal perspective Benji went to OZ to develop his game at the highest level first as a schoolboy then with an established NRL club. If he stayed in NZ his development as a league player would likely have been a lot slower. Kind of like rugby in reverse for OZ and NZ. I really respect his class and centred ness with the media and his situation at the Blues.
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
scandal - some people were saying that this was Benjis plan from the start so he could come back to league as a rugby import thus negating certain limitations in his previous contract...
Edward Pye
Roar Guru
Yep include, Craig Wing, Henry Paul and Tasesa Lavea on that list too
Digby
Roar Guru
Yip. I have no idea re JK etc but the one statement from Tauber re he has not had the game time he have liked is a key indicator to me.
leftfield
Roar Pro
Although Kirwan was the Warriors top try scorer one year (still not arguing he was a good league player, he was over the hill by then).
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Garrick Morgan - most usless rugby to league convert.
ben
Guest
Digger....theres a great pic goin round showing conrad smith and ardie savea laughing hardout and underneath it says "they paid how much for benji". The thing is....going to club and into the development team is exactly what he needs...plenty of game time to get a feel for the game and ...well develop...shouldve been itm cup. If benji doesnt want to do that whats that saying about benji.
Digby
Roar Guru
Can't help but see it that way as well ben.
ben
Guest
Inside word.....jk spoke to benji after his 41mins v the canes and told benji he needed developing in the blues development team and in club footy. Benji didnt want to do that. Well....plenty of players have done that and dont spit the dummy.
ben
Guest
I think as indicated he will lose a lot of respect from this. At least give it a decent nudge then he can say well i have no regrets i just wasnt good enough or show everyone how good he really is. What was the point of the whole exercise. It was also benji who spoke about wanting to play for the abs. Ok i dont know much about his and jks relationship....but when the going gets tough. His selection at the start was based on.....well i dont know...nrl form at the time was poor and no union form.
ben
Guest
He was treated just fine....just played like crap.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
Wendell Sailor impressed me with his willingness to work on the field, mucking in for ruck and maul, chasing, tackling, looking for work and so on. He was a fair dinkum contributor. He wasn't so flash on the wing / positioning / kicking specialist roles but he invariably backed up and always put in a maximum effort. He was classic "talk it up" Wendell with the fans and the opposition and he was more of a success than I expected. Benji Marshall's self delusion exceeds his limited abilities, I say. He's just been smacked in the face with the reality that first five is a craft that takes lots of time to learn. If he had higher aspirations he missed the bit that shows there is half a dozen competent and skilful first fives ahead of him, who all came through junior representative union with Cruden ... and Piri, if they all catch the 'flu at the same time.
Mike
Guest
Yessss!!
Mike
Guest
"Most useless league convert ever" That's just Jiggles. Don't take him seriously. :)
Jono
Guest
Willie Mason would beat them both.
Mike
Guest
If by inside backs you mean half backs (9/10 in union, 6/7 in league) then Craig Gower did quite well. Held a 10 spot in Top 14 for several seasons as well playing 10 for Italy.
Justin3
Guest
No surprise