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Benji Marshall trains with the Wests Tigers at Concord Oval. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited
BENJI Marshall has officially been granted a conditional release from Wests Tigers to switch to a code he once deemed "boring".
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Marshall was told of the development last night, freeing him for a defection to rugby union despite Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie questioning whether he could cut it at 28 years of age.
The decision comes after Marshall posted a four-minute video on Wests Tigers website yesterday revealing why he walked away from the Concord-based club.
And The Daily Telegraph on Thursday unearthed a quote from Marshall back in 2005, when he said: "I watch a bit of rugby union and it's pretty boring. Playing league is the best move I ever made."
Wests Tigers board does not want Marshall playing for a rival NRL club but would consider it if approached.
"There are a number of conditions attached to the release," Wests chief operating officer Grant Mayer said.
"The only one I will discuss openly and publicly is that we would not like to see Benji play for any other NRL club for the term of his contract (which runs until the end of 2015) unless we authorise a release."
It appears Marshall has no desire to sign with another rugby league club anyway.
Strangely, Marshall said yesterday he harboured some desire to return to Wests Tigers after retirement.
"It's been a hard time for myself and my family but as you all know I have made my decision to move on from the club at the end of this year. It was probably the hardest decision I have had to make," Marshall said.
"I feel like I have done everything in the game at this club, including winning a premiership, representing my country, captaining my country, winning a Four Nations, winning a World Cup and winning the Golden Boot.
"Without (the fans) support, a lot of that couldn't have been achieved. I feel like I am the person I am today based upon what I have done at this club.
"At the end of the day, my decision was based on what was best for myself and my family. Not only that but what was best for the club also.
"I know some people won't be happy, but some will be happy to see me go.
"That's life, rugby league is a game and the club is bigger than me.
"I will honour my words about not playing for another (NRL) club. There is no other NRL club for me to play for. The Tigers are my home and will always be my home.
"I have seen guys like Mark O'Neill leave, go to England and then come back to the club. I am hoping to do the same in some capacity after I retire, maybe be involved with the club. Hopefully get back into it somewhere."
Marshall stressed he was not angry at the club.
"There is no hard feeling between myself or the club," he said. "At the end of the day they did what they thought they could in the (salary) cap to keep me but this decision goes far further beyond than money.
"If it was in the past I could have taken more money to go elsewhere. I feel like I have given my life to the club. Eleven years is a long time. I will never forget the years I had here. Hopefully I can play my 200th game here for the club and leave on a high."
Speaking at the 2005 grand final breakfast, Marshall had no desire to play rugby union.
"It's pretty boring," he said at the time. That will hardly be applauded by fans of the three Super Rugby franchises interested in Marshall; the Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and Auckland Blues, whose coach Sir John Kirwan will fly to Sydney on Sunday to meet him.
Meanwhile, McKenzie said Marshall could struggle to adapt to the different space on a rugby field given his age and acquired habits from league.
"The good players can learn but it's just a question of how long they take; how long the investment is before you get the return," McKenzie said.
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