A heart-to-heart with master coach Wayne Bennett has delivered Benji Marshall his wish of an NRL lifeline, with the veteran playmaker signing a one-year NRL deal with Brisbane. Marshall's manager Mario Tartak confirmed to AAP on Friday that he had inked the deal which will reunite him with Bennett. Bennett's relationship with Marshall - from coaching him in New Zealand's 2008 World Cup win and the NRL All Stars - played a big part in getting the deal over the line. Brisbane are well stocked for halves with Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford at Red Hill, leading some to question why they would sign Marshall. Broncos centre Jack Reed was this year forced into retirement though the club has recruited Gold Coast's David Mead as a replacement.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 21, 2016 07:29 UTC