This says he is still in NZ.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...lls-nrl-saviour/story-fnca0von-1226901348579#
Marshall is expected to make a decision on his future next week, with Cronulla still the favourite to sign the failed rugby union convert. Marshall is believed to be in New Zealand still finalising his affairs after cutting short his stint with Super Rugby franchise the Auckland Blues.
The Sharks confirmed yesterday they had held talks with Marshall’s manager, Martin Tauber, but Melbourne and St George Illawarra have also expressed interest.
“The club has had preliminary talks with his management,’’ Cronulla chief executive Steve Noyce said.
“We need to work through a number of issues and see where we head from there.’’
Tauber shed little light on the situation yesterday but has always maintained he was confident Marshall would have a new NRL club by mid-May.
He said yesterday he was hopeful of having something sorted by early next week, which could see Marshall return to the NRL in round nine.
“There’s no change; we haven’t received anything yet so we’re still in the hands of the Philistines,’’ Tauber said yesterday. “Until we get all this stuff written in front of us, we can’t make any considerations. If all goes according to Hoyle, we’ll have an announcement early next week.’’
Marshall has been linked to the Sharks though his connection to chief executive Steve Noyce and a number of ex-teammates, including Beau Ryan and Blake Ayshford. If Marshall returned to his preferred position in the halves, it could heap pressure on incumbent halfback Jeff Robson, who is contracted until the end of next year.
Robson could switch to hooker for 2015, with questions over the future of John Morris and Isaac De Gois, but the club has also been linked to Canterbury’s Michael Ennis.
The Storm has expressed an interest in Marshall but coach Craig Bellamy concedes it will be hard to lure him down south as he prefers to stay in Sydney.
Melbourne has battled to find a replacement ever since Gareth Widdop headed to St George Illawarra and has tried Ben Roberts and Ben Hampton at No 6 this season.
Storm captain Cameron Smith has played with Marshall in the NRL All Stars game and said he would be a welcome addition to their squad.
“He’s a fantastic footballer, there’s no doubt about that, and I’m just happy he wants to come back and play in the NRL,’’ Smith said. “It would be nice if he considered coming to Melbourne. We’ve put a lot of time into a couple of blokes down there at the moment but to have a guy of his calibre, and the confidence he has when he’s on the field, would be a good thing for our club.’’
Storm halfback Cooper Cronk was happy to have Marshall back in the game but added the Storm’s woes had nothing to do with the five-eighth spot: “Storm has been a very good defensive team for a long period of time and we’ve leaked too many points — that’s our issue.’’
