Marshall leaves All Blacks in excellent order

Justin Marshall holds the Lions series trophy, flanked by Tana Umaga and injured hooker Anton Oliver. Picture / Dean Purcell

As the old line goes, Justin Marshall was feeling a case of deja vu all over again as he bade farewell to the All Blacks at the weekend.

The full stop to a fine international career came at 81 tests, second only to Sean Fitzpatrick on the All Black honours board.

And for the feisty halfback he goes as he arrived, as part of a special team.

"I feel the team is in really good hands at the moment," Marshall said in the afterglow of the 3-0 series win over the Lions.

"When I first came into the side in 1995 it was full of experience and immense talent. I feel I've left today in similar circumstances. Deep down it feels good."

Marshall's first test was in Paris in 1995, Laurie Mains' last as All Black coach. They won 37-12 on a special night.

"I'm really pleased I've made the right decision because I feel this team is going to grow and they don't need someone like me round to do that."

That said, however, Marshall reiterated that if the All Black selectors wanted him for the 2007 World Cup he'd be up for the call. A case of never say never.

The 31-year-old is off to join Leeds in the English second division but his contract ends about five months before the World Cup in France.

The idea has been floated with All Black coach Graham Henry and there it will sit - unless the selectors believe they need the experienced Marshall for their campaign.

Marshall, who came on for perennial rival Byron Kelleher early in the second half at Eden Park on Saturday night, gave the crowd a clap as he ran on, a liberty which might have risked a giant pratfall.

As it was the only thing he slipped on was a short pass for captain Tana Umaga to grab and barge through two tacklers to score his second try, and Marshall bustled about energetically.

"If I wanted to finish I probably wouldn't go to the United Kingdom," Marshall said of his move overseas. "It's hard work, a good competition, but I want the change, I want to be refreshed for the next couple of years and, who knows, it might be really good for me.

"I could be playing better rugby than I am now leading into the World Cup."

There was time for a pat on the back for Kelleher, saying each had brought out the best in the other. There was no sad aspect to his departure, he said, just satisfaction at what the team had achieved.

He will spend the next few days hawking his autobiography before packing his bags. Marshall wasn't always everyone's favourite All Black No 9. Kelleher is established, but Piri Weepu, the new man in the setup, has big shoes to fill.

Justin Marshall

* Born: August 5, 1973

* Province: Canterbury

* Test debut: 1995 v France

* Tests: 81