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Too old, too fat and not good enough to play rugby – that's the stunning assessment delivered by ex-Wallaby Greg Martin on Benji Marshall.
Despite a host of NRL players strolling into rugby over the past decade and immediately dominating, former Australian fullback Martin launched a scathing assessment of Marshall's ability and declared him not good enough to play the game.
Speaking on Brisbane's Triple M on Tuesday, Martin declared: "What a spoiled brat.
"Benji, we don't want you. It was the dream of a lot of people to play for the All Blacks but you've got to be good enough mate.
"You're old, you're no good and you're too fat."
Despite Martin's less-than-flattering critique, the Kiwi league international is likely to switch to rugby next year after severing ties with Wests Tigers following a failure to reach an agreement on a new deal.
The NSW Waratahs are the early favourites to nab the 28-year-old but the Auckland Blues are also a possibility, especially if Marshall wants to chase his boyhood dream of representing the All Blacks.
Most league fans are not overly concerned about Marshall's departure to a rival code and don't believe the NRL should intervene to keep him in the game.
That's despite Marshall's manager Martin Tauber criticising the governing body for not doing more to retain his client.
"You would think that for someone that brings the quality to the game, the merchandising, kids enjoyment for rugby league that someone would have picked the phone up and said, 'Is there anything we can do to help?'" Tauber told Fox Sports.
"But we've heard nothing.
"He's already had a conversation with Izzy (Israel Folau) about playing rugby - they'd be a devastating duo."
The Waratahs have confirmed talks will continue with Marshall and a deal could be struck if the two parties can reach a financial agreement.
Marshall would not earn big money in Super Rugby but could top up his income with a lucrative off-season stint in Japan.
The Tahs will concentrate on re-signing dual international Israel Folau and wayward Wallaby Kurtley Beale before giving Marshall their full attention.
Teaming Folau, Marshall and Beale in the same XV would be a massive box office attraction for the Waratahs and give them tremendous attacking strikepower.
Too old, too fat and not good enough to play rugby – that's the stunning assessment delivered by ex-Wallaby Greg Martin on Benji Marshall.
Despite a host of NRL players strolling into rugby over the past decade and immediately dominating, former Australian fullback Martin launched a scathing assessment of Marshall's ability and declared him not good enough to play the game.
Speaking on Brisbane's Triple M on Tuesday, Martin declared: "What a spoiled brat.
"Benji, we don't want you. It was the dream of a lot of people to play for the All Blacks but you've got to be good enough mate.
"You're old, you're no good and you're too fat."
Despite Martin's less-than-flattering critique, the Kiwi league international is likely to switch to rugby next year after severing ties with Wests Tigers following a failure to reach an agreement on a new deal.
The NSW Waratahs are the early favourites to nab the 28-year-old but the Auckland Blues are also a possibility, especially if Marshall wants to chase his boyhood dream of representing the All Blacks.
Most league fans are not overly concerned about Marshall's departure to a rival code and don't believe the NRL should intervene to keep him in the game.
That's despite Marshall's manager Martin Tauber criticising the governing body for not doing more to retain his client.
"You would think that for someone that brings the quality to the game, the merchandising, kids enjoyment for rugby league that someone would have picked the phone up and said, 'Is there anything we can do to help?'" Tauber told Fox Sports.
"But we've heard nothing.
"He's already had a conversation with Izzy (Israel Folau) about playing rugby - they'd be a devastating duo."
The Waratahs have confirmed talks will continue with Marshall and a deal could be struck if the two parties can reach a financial agreement.
Marshall would not earn big money in Super Rugby but could top up his income with a lucrative off-season stint in Japan.
The Tahs will concentrate on re-signing dual international Israel Folau and wayward Wallaby Kurtley Beale before giving Marshall their full attention.
Teaming Folau, Marshall and Beale in the same XV would be a massive box office attraction for the Waratahs and give them tremendous attacking strikepower.
