Marshall glad to remain a Tiger

Benji Marshall says he wants to repay the faith shown in him by Wests Tigers after he signed a five-year deal with the club.

The 24-year-old New Zealand international has penned a new contract which will see him remain with Wests until 2015.

And he says he wants to show his gratitude to the club that has helped him through numerous injury spells since he joined as a 16-year-old.

“I just can’t see myself as anything other than a one-club man,” told Fairfax Digital.

“I contemplated rugby in the past, I contemplated changing teams, but I never really wanted it to happen. The club’s looked after me pretty well. This gives me security in the game, and financial security as well.

“The decision wasn’t that hard. The club’s been terrific to me.

“I feel like I’m a pretty loyal person, and I want to repay them for what they’ve done for me through my injuries. And I feel like I’m starting to get back to the old me.”

Marshall burst on to the NRL scene in 2003 and was instrumental in helping the Tigers’ win their first premiership in 2005.

But since then he has endured several spells on the sidelines with shoulder and knee problems although Tigers fans were treated to glimpses of his raw talent last season.

He added: “It’s the longest contract I’ve ever signed,” he said. “But for me, and what the club’s done, I just feel like it’s the right time, for my security, and for my wellbeing.”

Marshall is expected to be fit for the Tigers’ opening round clash against Manly on March 15 after ankle scans revealed only minor damage.

The Kiwi Test captain suffered the injury in the final minutes of the Foundation Cup loss to the Sydney Roosters last weekend.