Benji Marshall undecided over whether he will play on in 2021

James Messenger 08 Mar 2020 1:43 PM

World Cup winner Benji Marshall says he is unsure of his long-term future in rugby league as he heads into his 18th NRL season.

The 35-year-old made his debut for Wests Tigers in 2003 and has made just short of 250 appearances for the club over two spells.

Marshall, capped 28 times by New Zealand, has also had stints with St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos, as well as a brief spell with Super Rugby side Blues.

He has been back at the Tigers since 2018 and has been appointed as co-captain for 2020 alongside Moses Mbye.

Marshall says he is solely focused on leading the Tigers to their first NRL semi-final since 2011, and admits he is not yet sure what the future holds.

“The last few years, I’ve just tried to process it as it if it were my last [season playing],” he told nrl.com

“I’ve probably gotten a lot out of it, because when you tell yourself it’s going to be your last one, you try and draw as much [energy] as you can out of every game.

“Being back at the Tigers has really helped me to find that passion and hunger that I’ve missed for a few years.

“It’s a long season, so if I’m feeling alright at the end of the year, I’ll play again. If I don’t, that’s it.

“I’ll be looking to play every minute of every game if I’m fit; I’m not looking for a rest here and there.

“But If I feel like my body isn’t doing what my mind wants it to do, I’ll stop.”

Watch NRL and live stream every NRL game to keep up with how Tom Burgess, John Bateman, Ryan Sutton, Elliott Whitehead, James Graham, George Williams and all the others are getting on Down Under.