John Drake: Chance to leave on another high

It is early summer, although you'd hardly know it by the weather, and already a rugby player has jumped in to dominate the news.

Justin Marshall is off to Leeds in the middle of the year, which raises a raft of what ifs.

Will the announcement prejudice Marshall's chances of playing against the Lions?

For my money, no chance. Graham Henry and co will pick the best available, no matter what individuals' plans are.

Is this policy the right thing for the development of New Zealand rugby? Of course it is. Winning games is what it's all about, so pick the best.

Will Marshall cruise through the Super 12 and finish his New Zealand rugby under-performing?

Again, no chance. He has always been competitive and unlike some others, has given his best when under pressure from the opposition and the media. And you can bet your boots he will want to prove himself again against the Lions.

The timing of the announcement some six months before departure was probably forced by loose lips and rumour.

At least we were saved from a repeat of recent farce, such as Kees Meeuws doing a lap of honour at Eden Park then telling Sky he had nothing to say until his "departure press conference" the next Monday. What a joke, and what was Kees thinking?

Marshall was rumoured to be talking to various clubs while working for the United Kingdom Barbarians last December, so it comes as no surprise that he's off.

He was upset not to be selected for last year's Northern Hemisphere tour and maybe he had already decided it would be his last.

More importantly maybe Henry and co knew he was off - hence the selection of others.

Perhaps they realised that the inclusion of the dominant Marshall may have hindered the development of the other halfbacks and probably the likes of Daniel Carter as well.

The fact that this group of players performed so well on tour will give comfort to Henry and co after Marshall's announcement.

Henry has said how much he values Marshall's leadership and experience, but he can be comforted by the growing depth in this position - particularly when the likes of Steve Devine and Kevin Senio come back from injury.

Marshall's legacy is of a young man who emerged from amateur sport to become a fine professional.

He had a turn as All Blacks captain which was probably too early for a young man still in a hurry and not quite ready to be a calming influence within the team - remember his distaste for being replaced early on in tests?

He has come back from serious injury, an Achilles problem that could have finished lesser individuals.

He has been criticised for a slow pass, although those who coached him, and more importantly those who played outside him, never complained.

For a bloke from the Mataura freezing works he had some interesting haircuts - but with all the attention top players receive these days, Marshall can look back and be well pleased if that is the only controversial comment about him.

Marshall isn't the first current All Black to leave for a different lifestyle and more cash, and he will not be the last.

At the age of 31, and after 77 tests, he may just deserve the opportunity. And I'm sure he will go out of New Zealand rugby with a bang rather than a whimper.