New Zealand legend Benji Marshall is the latest NRL player to be offered to Super League clubs.
Marshall’s name has been touted around to a number of clubs in the last few weeks, with the flamboyant halfback considering a move to the competition next season.
The 35-year-old is off-contract at the end of the season with the Wests Tigers and, despite starting the NRL season in superb form, he may be forced out of the Tigers due to salary cap issues at the club.
League Express understands that the Tigers are trying to offload players because of those pressures and Marshall may be a victim of them when his contract expires at the end of the season.
It has prompted his representatives to offer him to Super League clubs who are now considering whether to make a move for the playmaker, who is currently in his 18th NRL season.
A top performer throughout his career, the Kiwi has 28 appearances for his country, has won the World Cup and is widely regarded as one of the most exciting players of his generation.
Despite being in his senior years, Marshall continues to impress. He caught the eye in the World Cup Nines in the autumn and started the season well in the NRL.
Marshall would command a big salary to make the move over to Super League and, with clubs still unaware of their financial projections, most clubs will be wary of making an early move.
Generally, the number of NRL players currently being offered to Super League clubs is down in comparison to recent years, though there is a belief that they will pick up next month.
Among the current Super League halfbacks off-contract are Huddersfield’s Lee Gaskell, Hull FC’s Albert Kelly, who is reportedly set to leave the club at the end of the season, Hull KR’s Ryan Brierley, Toronto captain Josh McCrone, Wakefield veteran Danny Brough and Wigan’s Tommy Leuluai.
