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Bay of Plenty coach Graham Lowe has boldly declared New Zealand representative Benji Marshall is only considering a rugby union sabbatical for the cash.
Marshall, fresh from his Rugby League World Cup win in Australia last month, is rumoured to be considering a switch to rugby, according to reports from Australian media outlets. Sydney's Sunday Telegraph has said Whakatane-born player Marshall has all but decided to quit league and was likely to make his decision known to his National Rugby League club Wests Tigers within a week.
However, the Canberra Times explained the move - which is certain to spark rigorous debate in league circles - may be prevented if Marshall was allowed to play in the Australasian league off-season. The most likely contender would be the Japanese competition which runs from September to February.
The former Kiwi international and Manly Sea Eagles frontman told the Daily Post Marshall was not motivated by any dissatisfaction with rugby league, but rather as a golden opportunity to build his bank balance.
"It's just about money," Lowe said from Auckland. "I think there's a few big players that are getting some pretty big money waved at them, particularly [from] the European clubs. Whatever spin they [the players] put on it, [the money is] what it's about."
Marshall's manager Martin Tauber said that while a stint in rugby union may be a reality, he is yet to receive any formal offers from rugby union clubs.
Lowe said that once Marshall finished his contract with the Tigers at the end of next season, the decision would be his and his alone. However, until then, Lowe felt the coaching staff at Wests should be weary of rubberstamping any potential agreement allowing Marshall to play both codes - Marshall's dire injury record a case in point.
"If I was a club, I would think it would be too risky," Lowe said. "I would have to say, no, I don't think he can handle it. If we look at his history, he's just too injury-prone."
Apart from the inherent risk of injury, Lowe conceded Marshall does have the physical nous to do both codes justice. "I think that the games are getting closer and closer all the time. It's not as big a challenge as it may have been 15 or 20 years ago," Lowe said. "Rugby union, the Super 14, is very similar to unlimited tackle rugby league.
"I think the work rate is still a bit higher in league, both on attack and defence. But in saying that, rugby has a lot of hidden physical demands with it," Lowe added.
- ROTORUA DAILY POST
