NRL: Marshall to union talks heat up

Benji Marshall in action for the Wests Tigers. Photo / Getty Images

Benji Marshall's future at the West Tigers and in rugby league looks shaky following reports that contract negotiations with the club have stalled.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald the Kiwis playmaker has been looking to up-grade his current contract which ends in 2015 - but the club won't budge.

Marshall has been at the Tigers since 2003 having played 190 games, including a premiership in 2005.

The Tigers sit in 15th place on the NRL table with just four wins from 13 games and a dip in form by both Marshall and the side has hampered the contract negotiations, the paper reports.

''Benji Marshall is a priority for the club and we'd like to get some clarity around the position,'' Wests Tigers' new chief operating officer Grant Mayer told the Sydney Morning Herald.

''A meeting was held and we had some clarity. More discussions are coming.''

However it comes on the back of speculation that Marshall has been linked with a move to the Waratahs Super 15 franchise, the paper reports.

It's not the first time Marshall has been linked with a move to rugby union.

At the end of last season, Marshall's manager Martin Tauber sought a release from the Tigers contract during the 2013-2014 off-season to pursue opportunities in Japanese rugby but the NRL club knocked it back.

Tauber unsuccessfully attempted to secure Marshall a stint in Japanese rugby in 2009 when then-NRL CEO David Gallop blocked a potential move, despite Marshall being off contract at the time.

- nzherald.co.nz/AAP