Benji Marshall

Marshall starred in his first game back for the Tigers in Saturday's upset win over the Sydney Roosters, his first game for the club since leaving for Super Rugby club the Auckland Blues at the end of 2013.

It was originally understood Marshall's departure came about following a contract dispute over a potential extension at the club, but the playmaker revealed on Sunday he was left unwanted by the Tigers' previous administration.

Marshall described Lolohea as being Tonga's second-best player, only behind powerhouse forward Jason Taumalolo, during their dream RLWC campaign which ended in Saturday's heart-breaking semifinal loss to England.

Playing at five-eighth, Lolohea guided Mate Ma'a Tonga to within touching distance of a dream finals appearance.

While his kicking, fifth-tackle options and game management was sometimes lacking during the RLWC, his explosiveness and game-breaking ability was on show.

Marshall returned for Broncos' feeder side Redcliffe last week, his first competitive match since breaking his wrist earlier in the season.

The 32-year-old is set to make his first start for Brisbane in Saturday's clash against the Warriors in Auckland, alongside Hunt who has been sidelined for six weeks with a hamstring injury.

Marshall's selection has been prompted by Anthony Milford's call up to Queensland's State of Origin team and hooker Andrew McCullough's serious concussion. 

Marshall suffered the injury after impressing in Redcliffe's 28-20 win over Ipswich, having scored one try and had a hand in three others.

"It is really unlucky for it to happen like this but that is football," Marshall told broncos.com.au

Troubled by an achilles tendinitis injury that he picked up at the Downer NRL Auckland Nines, Marshall trained strongly at Brisbane's captain's run on Thursday morning but has not been able to force his way into Brisbane's best 17.

Alex Glenn has one more appointment with the doctor before he is cleared from the concussion he suffered against the Sharks last week but Broncos officials are very confident that he will be passed fit to meet the Cowboys. 

New signing Benji Marshall will feature up in the backline alongside other star names including Anthony Milford, James Roberts and Darius Boyd.

With the likes of Adam Blair, Andrew McCullogh and Matt Gillett also selected it's hard to see the side struggling this year.

The Broncos will fancy their chances in a group with the Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers.

BRONCOS’ NRL AUCKLAND NINES SQUAD

Alex Barr

Adam Blair

Darius Boyd

Gerome Burns

Mitch Cronin

Matt Gillett

With just three weeks until the two-day tournament that will signal the start of a 2017 season spanning 301 days, how Marshall fits into the Broncos 17 for Round 1 remains a mystery to the man himself but even at 31 years of age the format of the Nines will suit the former Dragon perfectly having kept fit in the off-season by playing A Grade touch football in Sydney.

Regarded as Brisbane's greatest centre, Renouf believes using Benji out of position will have no benefit for the club.

“It (signing Marshall) is a deadset joke. I honestly don’t know what Wayne is doing there,” Renouf told The Courier Mail.

“I can’t understand Wayne’s decisions and where the club is going.

“Benji is a six (five-eighth) or seven (halfback) and Wayne is talking about playing him as a centre. I don’t see any benefit to playing Benji Marshall at centre.

Marshall revealed he is likely to find a role in the back line should he crack the Broncos first grade team.

Marshall was criticised in his final year at the Dragons for being responsible for the spluttering attack, with the Kiwi freely admitting he is better as a ball-running five-eighth than organising halfback.

Now the former Wests Tigers captain is set to revert to a simpler role, most likely in the centres.

"It is obviously a very surprising move but I didn’t come here to play in the halves,” Marshall explained to the club's website.

Marshall’s manager Martin Tauber revealed how a heart-to-heart with Bennett saved his NRL career, with the veteran playmaker telling the super coach: “I don’t want to retire.”

Bennett’s lifeline to Marshall is genuine with Brisbane’s recruitment-and-retention committee to rubberstamp a contract offer by Friday.