Reports: Benji Marshall to return to rugby league

Associated Press

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Benji Marshall has reportedly abandoned his attempt to forge a new career in rugby union and is contemplating a return to Australia's National Rugby League.

The former New Zealand rugby league captain ended a lucrative 11-year NRL career at the end of the 2013 season to join the Auckland-based Blues in Super Rugby, hoping eventually to play for the All Blacks or for the New Zealand sevens team at the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

But the 29-year-old Marshall has played only 212 minutes in eight matches for the Blues this season and, according to media reports, decided to seek a release and return to the NRL after a meeting with Blues coach John Kirwan at which he was told he would have to play in lower-tier competitions to prepare for the 2015 season.