Coach Benji? Phone call to Bennett that revived Marshall’s career at Bunnies
Benji Marshall was looking for a coaching role when he rang Wayne Bennett last week, but instead received a lifeline to continue his playing career into a remarkable 19th season.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Marshall asked his old mentor if there was any room on his coaching staff for a retired premiership winning five-eighth.
Marshall, who was let go by the Tigers after the 2020 season always held out hopes of playing on in 2021, but was resigned to having to retire up until that fateful phone call.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
NRL: Benji Marshall has been linked with the South Sydney Rabbitohs with reports Wayne Bennett has reached out to the Kiwi international….
NRL: Benji Marshall has been linked with the South Sydney Rabbitohs with reports Wayne Bennett has reached out to the Kiwi international.
Marshall had turned down the opportunity to link with former premiership winning teammate and Cowboys coach Todd Payten at North Queensland on a deal worth $220,000, in a bid to stay in Sydney with his wife Zoe, who is pregnant with their second child.
It was the same reason Marshall refused to take up a $750,000 contract at Hull FC that would have gone down as the most lucrative in Super League history.
The 35-year-old was also linked to the Sharks, but negotiations with the Shire club came to an abrupt halt months ago.
MORE NRL NEWS
LEGACIES ON THE LINE: 10 NRL stars facing make-or-break 2021 seasons
‘TRAUMATIC’: Knights teammate says he’s ‘moved on’ after Pearce sexting scandal
TIGERS STAR QUITS CAPTAINCY: Here’s who he wants to take over
The Bulldogs were another club reportedly interested, but their desire to lure 2022 signing Matt Burton a year earlier prevented them from advancing negotiations with Marshall.
Marshall was preparing to become a commentator with Fox Sports on a deal worth $200,000, while another role calling games for Triple M radio was in the works.
However Bennett, who baulked at signing Marshall last year produced one of his trademark backflips and on Wednesday informed his players that the club would be signing Marshall.
Marshall has scored 93 tries in 324 games for the Tigers, Broncos and Dragons since his debut in 2003.
MORE NRL NEWS
RAIDERS BEST 17: Time for star to deliver; Contenders to fill Bateman void
PANTHERS BEST 17: Clearys feel heat as minor premiers try to replace two stalwarts
EELS BEST 17: Moses feeling the heat as jury is out on position that needs filling
Bennett and Marshall worked together at international level with the New Zealand side and it was also the former Broncos coach who offered him a first career lifeline at Red Hill in 2017.
The NRL are yet to officially register Marshall’s contract while it awaits salary cap approval, but he is expected to start training on Friday.
Bennett will likely use Marshall’s experience to work with halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker at training, but his game time is expected to be limited.
Marshall would be the ideal halves replacement if Walker is injured or on Origin duty, but a bench role that he filled at the Broncos is unlikely.
Bennett is trying to win a premiership in his third and final year at the Rabbitohs and Marshall is the final piece in his roster as he plots a grand farewell at Redfern.
SHARKS’ BEST 17: Futures of off-contract stars on the line in make or break season
TITANS’ BEST 17: Big-name recruits bolster pack but is it enough to end drought?
CHOOKS’ BEST 17: Filling the No.7 hot seat as Tri-colours plot revenge mission
BUNNIES’ BEST 17: Premiership or bust as Latrell returns in star-studded backline
Originally published asBenji called Wayne Bennett to plead for a coaching job. When he hung up he had an NRL lifeline
Source: Read Full Article