Benji Marshall cleared to make Rugby League return

Less than a year after quitting the game and heading for Rugby Union, New Zealand star Benji Marshall has been given the go-ahead to make his debut for St George Illawarra this weekend, as they gear up to face Parramatta.

The 29-year-old has been training with the Dragons all week and, after the club finalized a package with Union outfit Auckland Blues over Marshall’s release, he has been given the green light to make his NRL return on Saturday night.

Dragons boss Steve Price insists there was never any doubt over Marshall’s inclusion this weekend – as soon as the paperwork had been submitted and accepted by the NRL over Marshall’s contract – and he could now line-up with England star Gareth Widdop in the halves against the Eels.

“Benji has ticked all the boxes this week and is very keen to get back out on the field and play,” Price said.

“He’s trained well and fitted in really well with the group and we know he’ll only get better as the weeks go by and he gets more rugby league training and games under his belt.

“But we are looking forward to having him as a part of our team tomorrow.”

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