https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...00-2722,00.html
Injured Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall could be a shock inclusion for the Kiwis for the Test match.
A series of strength tests and talks with a shoulder specialist will determine if Marshall plays. He will undergo testing this week on the shoulder he dislocated against North Queensland two weeks ago, an injury that was expected to keep him out until late May.
Marshall has resumed light contact work and Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who has spoken to Kiwis counterpart Brian McClennan, confirmed he was an outside chance to play.
"It's a slight chance," Sheens said yesterday. "It will come down to his strength tests and where they're up to in relation to prior to the injury, and a report from our doctor and Doctor (Des) Bokor. We're talking about a series of things that have to happen this week.
"I said I would talk to Brian as the week went on. If he is available, we will release him. I'm not going to play silly buggers."
McClennan is desperate to have Marshall available as injuries have depleted the Kiwis' scrumbase options.
The New Zealand coach is already without Stacey Jones (broken arm), with English-based Thomas Leuluai likely to be named halfback.
It fit Marshall would walk into the Kiwi side at five-eighth, allowing McClennan to play the brilliant pivot alongside his other trump card, Sonny Bill Williams.
Sheens also revealed Marshall could avoid surgery at the end of the season provided his shoulder stands up on his return. "It will come down to how his body handles it, how much strength he can put on it," he said.
Injured Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall could be a shock inclusion for the Kiwis for the Test match.
A series of strength tests and talks with a shoulder specialist will determine if Marshall plays. He will undergo testing this week on the shoulder he dislocated against North Queensland two weeks ago, an injury that was expected to keep him out until late May.
Marshall has resumed light contact work and Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who has spoken to Kiwis counterpart Brian McClennan, confirmed he was an outside chance to play.
"It's a slight chance," Sheens said yesterday. "It will come down to his strength tests and where they're up to in relation to prior to the injury, and a report from our doctor and Doctor (Des) Bokor. We're talking about a series of things that have to happen this week.
"I said I would talk to Brian as the week went on. If he is available, we will release him. I'm not going to play silly buggers."
McClennan is desperate to have Marshall available as injuries have depleted the Kiwis' scrumbase options.
The New Zealand coach is already without Stacey Jones (broken arm), with English-based Thomas Leuluai likely to be named halfback.
It fit Marshall would walk into the Kiwi side at five-eighth, allowing McClennan to play the brilliant pivot alongside his other trump card, Sonny Bill Williams.
Sheens also revealed Marshall could avoid surgery at the end of the season provided his shoulder stands up on his return. "It will come down to how his body handles it, how much strength he can put on it," he said.
