Marshall grudge bizarre says Henry

Justin Marshall

Theories the distended Lions squad would be torpedoed by internal ructions have taken a new twist with the All Blacks bedevilled by reports of rancour from top halfback Justin Marshall.

It is a situation All Black coach Graham Henry labelled as "bizarre" yesterday and one he did not want to play out in public.

But that refusal to comment raised suspicions there was some lingering friction between Marshall and the national selectors which could affect his place in the Lions series.

The halfback was bypassed for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour last season and signed a contract to play for Leeds in July, but vowed he wanted to end his 77-test career with a series against the Lions.

However, a Herald on Sunday article yesterday suggested Marshall still carried a grudge about being overlooked last year and might call it quits after the Super 12 final.

"Some of the signals they [All Black selectors] sent me at the end of last year ... you know, I have got to weigh up whether I'm going to be selected and whether my heart is in it. The selectors have to decide whether they want me and I have to decide whether or not I want to be involved," he told the newspaper.

That verdict will not be apparent today when the selectors name their All Black trial teams - sides which will not include any Crusaders or the Maori squad travelling to Fiji.

The selectors will probably include No 8 Xavier Rush, who has signed a three-year deal to play for Cardiff once any Lions' tour obligations are concluded.

There is some noise that wing Joe Rokocoko will miss out on the trial but will be chosen for the national sevens squad to try to restore his confidence, form and fitness.

Debate about Marshall's future will continue. The halfback has often mixed on-field brilliance with off-field artlessness.

He has had various spats with officialdom because of his emotions or forthright opinions.

He drew the ire of All Black coach John Hart when he mouthed off after being substituted in a test and slated the expanded Super 14 and Tri-Nations series.

He was equally upset when left out of the last All Black squad to Europe, voiced that displeasure and pledged to make the selectors rethink their ideas. But Marshall's remarks, reported yesterday, suggest the halfback is still bitter.

While the selectors have long admired his combative streak, they've felt he could inhibit others, especially if he was picked as a reserve. Ditto Andrew Mehrtens.

That reasoning, Marshall's indication he would sign for a British club, and long-term thoughts about the 2007 World Cup convinced the All Black panel to ignore both for the tour to Europe.

Marshall told those close to him that the All Black selectors gave him little encouragement to stay when he said he would accept an overseas offer this season.

Asked yesterday about Marshall's thinking, Henry said it had nothing to do with anyone except the halfback and the selectors.

"I find it bizarre quite frankly and I do not want to get into that sort of conversation through the media. It is not the appropriate thing to do."

But Henry praised Marshall's form in the Super 12 although he would not answer whether the 31-year-old would know if he was in the All Black plans for the Lions.

"I think he is playing superbly for the Crusaders, in fact I think he is playing as well as I have ever seen him play."