Rugby Union Career
Marshall began his rugby union career with Southland and was then asked to join Christchurch by Canterbury coach Vance Stewart. It was whilst here that Marshall first made the break into the All Blacks side for the 1995 tour of Italy and France. Marshall was just 22 when he made his début against France in a 37–12 win.
In 1997 Marshall was made captain of New Zealand and led out his team in four tests in Great Britain, becoming the All Blacks' 54th Test Captain. In moving to Europe, Marshall retired from international rugby with the All Blacks in 2005. He made 81 appearances for the All Blacks, with a record of 61 wins, 1 draw and just 19 defeats. Marshall is the highest capped scrum half in All Blacks history. He has scored a record 24 Test tries for New Zealand, a tally that more than doubles the next best for an All Blacks scrum half, held by Sid Going.
Marshall played for Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship, the Crusaders in the Super 12 competition, and the All Blacks. However, his New Zealand contract ran out after the 2005 Lions tour, and he signed to play the 2005–06 season for Leeds Tykes in the English Premiership. However, following the relegation of Leeds from the Premiership, Marshall left the club at the end of the season. On 25 April 2006 it was announced he had signed for the Welsh regional side Ospreys on a two-year contract beginning in September 2006. Before signing for Ospreys, Marshall indicated an interest in returning to New Zealand to once again be an All Black and play in the World Cup, even being prepared to play for Auckland. On 16 July 2008 Ospreys announced that Marshall had been released from his contract early, and he signed for Top 14 side Montpellier. On 15 January 2009 he signed for Saracens on a contract to the end of the 2008–09 season.
Throughout the 2009–10 season, whilst continuing to play for Saracens, Marshall was a pundit and commentator on BBC Wales rugby programme Scrum V. At the end of that season, he announced the end of his playing career with a view to moving back to New Zealand to focus on his broadcasting career there.
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