Former New Zealand and Crusaders scrum-half Justin Marshall has admitted he is tempted to come out of retirement on a full-time basis.
All Blacks legend misses playing
Former New Zealand and Crusaders scrum-half Justin Marshall has admitted he is tempted to come out of retirement on a full-time basis.
Now 38, Marshall hasn't played professionally since leaving Saracens in 2010 and hanging up his boots.
Since then Marshall, who also played for Southland, Canterbury, Leeds, Ospreys and Montpellier, has got his rugby fix from invitational appearances and commentating for Sky Sports in New Zealand.
However the former All Blacks and World XV captain, who will play for the Southern Hemisphere in the Heroes Rugby Challenge at Twickenham on Saturday, claims that he would love another crack at the big time.
And Marshall, who won 81 caps and scored 24 tries for the All Blacks, has even held talks with his former Crusaders colleague Leon MacDonald about helping out Tasman.
"A big part of me still misses playing," Marshall told
skysports.com.
Passion
"I had 16 years as a professional and it was a big part of my life. You just don't get rid of that feeling of wanting to play overnight.
"I don't mean this in a bad way but I was really envious of what I saw in New Zealand at the World Cup. Seeing the guys win I just thought, 'boy what I wouldn't give to be out there'.
"I have still got that passion and desire to test myself. It would be great to know whether I could still cope and perform in the game now.
"I have had offers from club rugby in New Zealand and I have spoken to Leon MacDonald, the coach at Tasman.
"When you make that decision to retire, though, there are a lot of things you consider and coming back is one. Maybe there is a little bit of fear in returning because your reputation is at stake if you can't perform.
"It is not something I have written off as you never know. If the Crusaders came calling and needed a scrum-half for the Super Rugby semi-finals then I would be there!
"I was joking with (former All Blacks No.10) Andrew Mehrtens during the World Cup that he would be the next cab off the rank after Stephen Donald was called up as they were dropping like flies."
Justin Marshall and more of rugby union's greatest legends will scrum down at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 3 December 2011 for the 'Heroes Rugby Challenge' supported by J.P. Morgan. The full cost of tickets will go to Help for Heroes and can be purchased from the Twickenham Stadium Ticket Office - open from midday on Saturday.
