League: Benji Marshall backed for Kiwis return by West Tigers teammate Josh Reynolds

Benji Marshall. Photo / Photosport

Benji Marshall has earned the chance to return from a six-year Test exile and guide a Kiwis revival.

That's the view of Wests Tigers teammate Josh Reynolds, the man veteran Marshall has usurped in the pecking order for the club's starting five-eighth spot.

Reynolds will come from the bench against Manly at Lottoland on Sunday in what will be his first game of the season because of a hamstring injury.

After going down in the last training session of the Tigers' pre-season, Reynolds has been an impressed spectator as veteran Marshall guided the Tigers to a 4-1 start.

Coach Ivan Cleary has shown he cares little for reputations by keeping Marshall in the starting side.

Reynolds had no qualms about being behind Marshall and was adamant his 33-year- old teammate had been so good he deserved a return to the New Zealand team, which is coming off a disastrous World Cup campaign.

"Yeah, 100 per cent," Reynolds said when asked if Marshall should be the Kiwis No.6 for their mid-year Test against England.

"He's playing good footy. I'm not sure who he's up against for that position. On form, it'd be silly not to.

"Just being around him, he's just got a lot of footy knowledge. I think that can help New Zealand at the moment.

"If you looks at the Warriors' form, they're are at the best they've been in five years. And they make up a lot of the New Zealand team. If you throw in someone like him, I think they'd be a great side."

Marshall was essentially banished from the Kiwis side under former coaches Stephen Kearney and David Kidwell.

After Kidwell stepped down following their disastrous World Cup campaign, Geoff Toovey, Laurie Daley, Michael Maguire are among the contenders to take over as coach.

Marshall's chances of earning a Test cap for the first time since 2012 will depend on who steps in, however there's little doubt he's out-performing fellow contenders Kieran Foran, Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin.

-NZN