NRL: Broncos turn to Benji Marshall

Benji Marshall of the Broncos runs with the ball. Photo / Getty Images

Unwanted a year ago, Benji Marshall now looms as Brisbane's saviour after skipper Darius Boyd ruled himself out of Friday night's NRL qualifying final against Sydney Roosters.

In a remarkable turnaround, the 32-year-old Marshall is expected to start as Broncos halfback in the finals blockbuster barely 12 months after contemplating retirement.

Wayne Bennett is tipped to turn to the rejuvenated Marshall to step up at No.7 after Boyd sparked a backline reshuffle when he succumbed to a hamstring injury.

Brisbane had held onto hope that Boyd would be given until the last minute to overcome the injury suffered in their last-round win over North Queensland.

However, Boyd abruptly ended speculation on Monday.

"I'm not playing. Hammies, you can't rush them," Boyd told Fox Sports.

Incumbent halfback Kodi Nikorima is expected to replace Boyd at fullback with veteran Marshall slotting into the halves with pivot Anthony Milford.

"It's what we did in the Cowboys game (last round) in the second half and it worked really well," Boyd said of Marshall in the halves.

"He's played plenty of finals football before. He knows how to get the job done."

Marshall may now be Brisbane's main man but about a year ago the former Wests Tigers captain wasn't so popular.

The ex-New Zealand skipper contemplated walking away from the game last year after being left without a club following 14 seasons in the top grade.

A phone call to Bennett for advice turned into a bargain basement one-year Broncos deal.

He cherished the lifeline, playing 10 games to date this year but having an even bigger impact as halves mentor for Milford, Nikorima and Ben Hunt.

Marshall's new-found form earned him a fairytale return to his former club Wests Tigers, recently signing a 2018 deal with the joint venture.

Marshall returned to the Broncos 17 last round after five weeks in Queensland Cup, coming off the bench in their win over the Cowboys.

Boyd revealed he had been dealing with hamstring issues for the past two years.

"It's a recurring thing ever since I did my Achilles (in 2015), I have a weak left hamstring," he said.

Asked if he was confident of returning next week, Boyd said: "I'd like to be but I wouldn't say confident.Besides Boyd, Brisbane are also without hooker Andrew McCullough (knee) and prop Korbin Sims (broken arm).