Marshall to return to league

GONE: Benji Marshall failed to make any impact at the Blues.PHOTO/APN

Benji Marshall is set to return to the NRL after he and Blues coach John Kirwan agreed his switch to rugby union was not working out, the Blues have confirmed.

Marshall made the decision to seek an immediate return to the NRL following a meeting with Blues coach Sir John Kirwan this weekend.

Marshall's manager, Martin Tauber, has been instructed to open talks with NRL clubs.

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah did not immediately return a request for an interview, however the New Zealand club has not so far been linked to the former Kiwis star.

Marshall has been given just 212 minutes of game time in eight Super Rugby matches this season.

An Australian newspaper reported the 29-year-old decided to seek a release after a meeting with Kirwan in which it was suggested he either play the rest of the season in the lower tiers to help prepare him for the 2015 Super Rugby competition or return to rugby league.

Cronulla, St George Illawarra, Parramatta, Melbourne and the Brisbane Broncos have already been touted as possible destinations.

Kirwan praised the progress made in the performances of his two starting No10s this season - Noakes and 20-year-old rookie Simon Hickey - but wasn't so effusive about Marshall.

"Our 10 issue is a problem," Kirwan told reporters in Auckland yesterday.

"Benji and I have had an honest conversation and spoken about where we're at.

"He's an incredibly good team man and an incredibly honest man so we're having those discussions and moving forward." APN News & Media/AAP