2 Aug 2013

Benji Marshall wants to play in World Cup

5:56 am on 2 August 2013

Benji Marshall is hoping to round off his glittering rugby league career with a second World Cup triumph for New Zealand, if given the green light to take part in the tournament in the United Kingdom later this year.

The 28-year-old, who played a starring role in the Kiwis' stunning win over Australia in the 2008 World Cup final in Brisbane, is set to leave the Wests Tigers at the end of the NRL season to take up a career in rugby union.

Although he's yet to agree terms with a Super Rugby team, Marshall will walk away from the joint-venture after requesting an early release from his contract following a dispute over an upgraded agreement he'd hoped would net him a million dollars a season.

However, Marshall says the opportunity to play in one last rugby league tournament for the Kiwis would be something he couldn't to turn down if coach Stephen Kearney came knocking.

But he acknowledged there could be an issue as he'll be without a rugby league club contract, despite his picture adorning advertising posters for the World Cup in the UK.

It's believed the Rugby League International Federation would rule on the World Cup eligibility of any player without a club deal - something that could also affect fellow Kiwi star Sonny Bill Williams if he has not done a new deal with the Sydney Roosters.

Marshall says he's no closer to deciding where his rugby union future lies, and has had no further discussions with Auckland Blues coach John Kirwan.