Benji Marshall will not be considered for the Kiwis. Photo / Getty
Former Kiwis captain Benji Marshall's hopes of making an international comeback have been dashed with New Zealand test selector Tawera Nikau confirming the Broncos utility won't be considered for the upcoming World Cup.
Marshall has been a strong performer for Brisbane in recent weeks but the 32-year-old has been relegated
to the interchange bench ahead of tomorrow night's NRL grand final qualifier against Melbourne at AAMI Park, with Kiwis test rookie Kodi Nikorima preferred in the Broncos No7 jersey.
Marshall last week expressed his desire to pull on the black jersey once again but Nikau ruled any chance of a comeback out, reiterating the point that the Kiwis had moved on since he last played for New Zealand in 2012.
"Benji's been one of those players that's been outstanding and contributed to the game immensely over the years, but if you read between the lines with the process that we've done over the last couple of years with the likes of Shaun Johnson, Kieran Foran, Te Maire Martin and Kodi Nikorima - those are the players that we're focusing on for the future," Nikau told the Herald.
"An article even came out during the week in Australia with Benji saying 'pick Kodi before me' with the Broncos.
