Former rugby league coach Frank Endacott is joining the list of people saying Benji Marshall deserves another chance to wear the New Zealand jersey in the upcoming Denver test against England.
The calls for Benji's return to the national side have grown in recent weeks after the star playmaker wound back the clock, leading the Wests Tigers to five wins in their first seven games of the season.
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The 33-year-old has a rich legacy in the New Zealand jersey, having played a significant role for the Kiwis when they won the World Cup in 2008, and the Four Nations in 2010. In total, he has played 25 tests for his country - the last back in 2012.
Marshall will be competing against Kieran Foran, Kodi Nikorima and Te Maire Martin for the number six jersey in June.
But who exactly will play five-eighth for the Kiwis this year depends on who takes over from ex-coach David Kidwell - who chose not to reapply for his position after New Zealand's World Cup failure - and whether the new mentor wants immediate success or has an eye on the future.
Speaking to Brendan Telfer on RadioLIVE's Saturday Sport, Endacott said the decision on who that should be is as clear as daylight.
"I think the way he's playing he's certainly got to be considered without any stretch of the imagination," he said.
"You can't turn a blind eye to the way he's playing, he's winning games for the Tigers at the moment, and he's leading from the front.
"He will be in the mix when selectors talk about players."
Marshall's return to form has been a massive talking point during the NRL season. He has regained confidence following a challenging period in his career that began with his messy split with the Tigers in 2013, and involved stints in rugby union, St George Illawarra and Brisbane.
Endacott thinks that Marshall is playing the best footy of his career, even though he has a hunch that this could be the last year we see the man from Whakatane.
"I have an idea this could be his last year, and I think he just wants to go out on a real high and if he thinks like that, he's doing that great, and he's playing fantastic.
"His all-round game too, even his defence has improved."
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