TIGERS
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**Benji says no to SBW's Toulon spot**
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ADRIAN PROSZENKO
June 13, 2010
BENJI MARSHALL has knocked back an approach to replace Sonny Bill Williams as a marquee import at French rugby powerhouse Toulon.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal is on the lookout for another big-name recruit after Williams turned his back on a record $6 million, three-year offer to chase his dream of representing the All Blacks at next year's World Cup.
Not content with an imposing roster containing superboot Jonny Wilkinson, Wallabies great George Smith, All Blacks front-rower Carl Hayman and Springboks flanker Joe van Niekerk, big-spending Boudjellal made a play for Wests Tigers ace Marshall during the week.
''We had an approach from a third party who said he had been mandated by Toulon to talk to me about my client Benji Marshall,'' said Marshall's manager, Martin Tauber. ''It came in by email on Monday. They are obviously hunting for talent worldwide.''
It's not the first time Marshall has been linked to rugby union. The New Zealand captain, who recently re-signed with the Tigers until the end of 2015, has previously been the subject of interest from Japanese and French clubs. At one stage Tigers officials were prepared to allow Marshall to spend an off-season playing rugby in Japan as part of re-signing negotiations, but the move was vetoed by NRL CEO David Gallop.
Tauber was flattered by the approach from the Top 14 club but stressed his star client was happy at the Tigers and would fulfil his obligations to the club.
''There's no way in the world he'd go, he's staying with rugby league,'' he said. ''I've already told the chairman of the club [David Trodden] and [recruitment manager] Warren McDonnell about it as a courtesy but assured them that Benji won't be going anywhere.''
Williams's successful switch from league to union has piqued the interest of cashed-up overseas rugby clubs, which will continue to monitor the NRL for potential recruits. Williams, Craig Wing, Craig Gower, Luke Rooney, Fraser Anderson and Mark Gasnier have all made the switch with varying degrees of success, although the latter is expected to announce a return to St George Illawarra shortly.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens was unaware of the approach to Marshall until The Sun-Herald told him.
''He's contracted to us and he's happy, so it's not a real big issue for us,'' Sheens said.
The salary-cap crisis engulfing the Storm could force several marquee players on to the open market. Storm superstar Greg Inglis, who has already fielded an approach from AFL club Essendon, could be the next target on Toulon's radar.
''Elite players will always be in demand,'' former Wallabies coach John Connolly said. ''Unfortunately for rugby league the same sort of money just isn't available here. Any player who comes off contract, whether it be rugby union or rugby league, will be open for offers.
''It's a different landscape now.''
http://www.smh.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
June 13, 2010
BENJI MARSHALL has knocked back an approach to replace Sonny Bill Williams as a marquee import at French rugby powerhouse Toulon.
Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal is on the lookout for another big-name recruit after Williams turned his back on a record $6 million, three-year offer to chase his dream of representing the All Blacks at next year's World Cup.
Not content with an imposing roster containing superboot Jonny Wilkinson, Wallabies great George Smith, All Blacks front-rower Carl Hayman and Springboks flanker Joe van Niekerk, big-spending Boudjellal made a play for Wests Tigers ace Marshall during the week.
''We had an approach from a third party who said he had been mandated by Toulon to talk to me about my client Benji Marshall,'' said Marshall's manager, Martin Tauber. ''It came in by email on Monday. They are obviously hunting for talent worldwide.''
It's not the first time Marshall has been linked to rugby union. The New Zealand captain, who recently re-signed with the Tigers until the end of 2015, has previously been the subject of interest from Japanese and French clubs. At one stage Tigers officials were prepared to allow Marshall to spend an off-season playing rugby in Japan as part of re-signing negotiations, but the move was vetoed by NRL CEO David Gallop.
Tauber was flattered by the approach from the Top 14 club but stressed his star client was happy at the Tigers and would fulfil his obligations to the club.
''There's no way in the world he'd go, he's staying with rugby league,'' he said. ''I've already told the chairman of the club [David Trodden] and [recruitment manager] Warren McDonnell about it as a courtesy but assured them that Benji won't be going anywhere.''
Williams's successful switch from league to union has piqued the interest of cashed-up overseas rugby clubs, which will continue to monitor the NRL for potential recruits. Williams, Craig Wing, Craig Gower, Luke Rooney, Fraser Anderson and Mark Gasnier have all made the switch with varying degrees of success, although the latter is expected to announce a return to St George Illawarra shortly.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens was unaware of the approach to Marshall until The Sun-Herald told him.
''He's contracted to us and he's happy, so it's not a real big issue for us,'' Sheens said.
The salary-cap crisis engulfing the Storm could force several marquee players on to the open market. Storm superstar Greg Inglis, who has already fielded an approach from AFL club Essendon, could be the next target on Toulon's radar.
''Elite players will always be in demand,'' former Wallabies coach John Connolly said. ''Unfortunately for rugby league the same sort of money just isn't available here. Any player who comes off contract, whether it be rugby union or rugby league, will be open for offers.
''It's a different landscape now.''
