League: Marshall could play both codes - report

Benji Marshall is set to become the latest high profile league player to defect to rugby. Photo / Getty Images

Rugby league World Cup winner Benji Marshall could be about to make the switch to rugby in either Europe or Japan, Australian media reports say.

Sydney's Sunday Telegraph said New Zealander Marshall looked set to stun the league world with a defection to rugby in Europe.

The newspaper reported Marshall had all but decided to quit and was likely to tell his National Rugby League club Wests Tigers within a week.

But the Canberra Times reported a move could be prevented if Marshall was able to play rugby in the off-season in Japan.

Because the Japanese season runs from September to February - the Australian league off-season - Marshall could potentially play in both codes, the Canberra Times reported.

Wests Tigers officials refused to say whether Marshall would be allowed to play for both.

Marshall will leave Australia tomorrow for a holiday in Canada.

He was not expected to be back for pre-season training until next year.

- NZPA