He is only 28 and a Kiwi. Might be wearied by NRL but rugby offers a new challenge.
• Goalkicks. Might need to up his percentage rates but knows how to kick the Steeden so will work out the Gilbert or the adidas.
• Has played professional sport for more than a decade. The demands are ingrained in his nature, he is in tune with that workload.
• Extensive experience with 193 NRL games for the Tigers and Kiwi tests and has captained the Kiwis. Leadership experience will be needed at the Blues.
• Plays first receiver, second receiver, wing, fullback. Versatile enough to cover a range of roles and makes things happen.
• Was tempted to go to rugby in Japan in 2009 so this is no spur of the moment, let's have a shot at this other code moment. Has had time to think of the ramifications.
Minuses
• He would have to unpick all his instincts about league. It's not the standard kick, pass run moments which will trouble Marshall but those red-hot episodes when he finds himself under the gun and has to find a solution.
• Might eat up much of the money which could be used to woo Beauden Barrett to the Blues. Barrett is the future, a blue chip investment who has played All Black tests and is on the climb.
• Might need a hefty salary. Gets a decent dollar and a range of other deals in Sydney to push him up towards the seven figure mark so the Blues will have to be innovative about filling his wallet.
• Shoulders. They have taken a pounding and multiple bouts of surgery but in recent seasons he has appeared either more robust or smart about where he goes on defence.
• Diehard leaguies say Marshall's impact has dimmed and with his minimal rugby experience, the question will be whether the marketing interest is strong enough to carry his rugby greenness.
• Marshall will come with a growing coterie. It became an issue with SBW and not one the NZRU or any others solved.
