Former New Zealand half-back Benji Marshall reportedly turned down offers from a number of Super League clubs before securing a future in the NRL for 2017: including the likes of St Helens and Catalans.
Marshall was heavily courted by several Super League sides according to reports in Australia, with the 31-year-old knocking back teams including the Saints and the Dragons after rejecting a new deal at St George.
However, although many in Australia suspected the former Wests superstar would struggle to secure a deal in the NRL for 2017, he has landed a contract with Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane – meaning he could still yet appear on these shores next year.
Bennett indicated to the media last week that Brisbane would be interested in travelling to England for the World Club Series amidst a growing number of NRL sides rejecting the notion of coming halfway round the world to play in the competition.
Bennett and Marshall have already worked together in the past, with Bennett’s involvement with both New Zealand and the NRL All Stars sides linking him up with the half-back in recent years.
But now, it looks likely that they will work together at club level too – despite a number of Super League clubs trying to persuade the half-back to make the move to Super League in vain.
