Disloyal mercenary to retire

[Teh Mite]

Marshall to call it quits


Saracens and former All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 36-year-old is set to make what could be his farewell appearance in Saracens' Guinness Premiership play-off clash at Northampton on Sunday.

Marshall won 81 caps for the All Blacks, scoring 24 Test tries, and was a mainstay of the Canterbury Crusaders side when it dominated Super Rugby, making more than 100 appearances.

He is the third most capped New Zealand international player in history, and the most capped All Blacks scrum-half. He featured in the 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

After heading to Europe in 2005, Marshall played for Leeds, the Ospreys and Montpellier before joining Saracens 18 months ago.

"I have given a lot to the game over the past 17 seasons, but rugby has given me much, much more," he said.

"When I was 19, I was in danger of going off the rails, but I was given a chance to move to Christchurch and play for Canterbury.

"Later that year, I was picked for the All Blacks and this incredible journey began. I have been so fortunate to make so many friends in this game all around the world.

"It has never been dull, and I have to thank my wife Nicolle and my children for supporting me during this period.

"My career has made massive demands on them, and now we are all looking forward to going home to New Zealand and settling into something like a normal family life.

"I just feel immensely grateful to all the talented players and coaches who have made my career so enjoyable and memorable."

Marshall will remain involved in rugby, starting a new television career with Sky Sports NZ next month as well as continuing to work with Saracens.


http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_6148768,00.html

 

[gingergenius]

Disloyal mercenary?

OK, so he's played for a few teams, but he's played in every single one of the World's major rugby leagues - Super Rugby, Magners League, Guinness Premiership and Top 14. No harm in being a mercenary if you're going to expand your rugby experience to the max.

 

[Teh Mite]

Disloyal mercenary because he's always jumped ship whenever things aren't going his way and also has a reputation for dividing and splitting camps apart.

 

[Charles]

Yeah he was a bit of a prick in Montpellier. Awesome player though...

 

[ranger]

Yeah he was a bit of a prick in Montpellier. Awesome player though...

Pretty accurate description of the guy.
Every halfback needs to be a bit of a prick though, his mongrel is what made him great.

 

[Versus]

Loyalty? HAHAHA, that is funny!

There is no such thing as loyalty in pro rugby dude.

Loyalty... hehe.

 

[Charles]

Pretty accurate description of the guy.
Every halfback needs to be a bit of a prick though, his mongrel is what made him great.

Thing is you usually don't need to be a prick off the field...

 

[nickdnz]

Meh, in fairness he jumped to different clubs when he was well pas his prime. He was loyal to New Zealand rugby for many years which included him playing over 100 Super rugby matches for the Crusaders and is the third most capped All Black of all time. I can understand wanting to experience as much of world rugby as possible while your will you're enough to play. As for calling him a prick off the field, I don't know what justifies that. Met him a few years back when he was at a signing for his autobiography, he seemed pretty decent and gave me his autograph on my rugby ball even when the people in charge said I had to buy his book first. I'm sure that isn't a totally convincing character reference, but I don't have any other personal experience to base my opinion of him upon.

Loyalty? HAHAHA, that is funny!

There is no such thing as loyalty in pro rugby dude.

Loyalty... hehe.

Of course there is such thing as loyalty in pro rugby. Why do you think so many people continue to play for failing clubs when they could get alot more in many more successful and richer clubs. Why do you think people remain in competitions in which they get paid half as much as if they moved to an over seas competition?

 

[best_fullback]

Loyalty? HAHAHA, that is funny!

There is no such thing as loyalty in pro rugby dude.

Loyalty... hehe.

Maybe not for you but many pro players are incredibly loyal. Yeah the professional game does get a lot of players chasing the bucks but there are loads of players who look beyond that. Just like in football, you might say that players aren't loyal because the Prem is full of foreigners but you still have quite a few players who have played only for one or two clubs throughout their whole careers through thick and thin.

 

[nickdnz]

Maybe not for you but many pro players are incredibly loyal. Yeah the professional game does get a lot of players chasing the bucks but there are loads of players who look beyond that. Just like in football, you might say that players aren't loyal because the Prem is full of foreigners but you still have quite a few players who have played only for one or two clubs throughout their whole careers through thick and thin.

pfft, don't boost his ego and include him under the catagory of "pro players". He's probably a 16 year old kid who signed to an academy, and his parents hired an agent. I'd love to see his credentials.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

pfft, don't boost his ego and include him under the catagory of "pro players". He's probably a 16 year old kid who signed to an academy, and his parents hired an agent. I'd love to see his credentials.

His mummy and daddy told him he's the best rugby player in the whole-wide-world

 

[Gavin]

He must be a bit of an ass when he does this -