Ivan Cleary

That after 17 weeks of perfection, everything they worked so hard for could be taken away in an instant.

“It hurts everytime I watch it,” centre Stephen Crichton admitted earlier this week.

For others, there is no interest in watching replays of the 2020 decider.

“A few of the boys watched it again when they first got back in pre-season, but I have never watched it back again,” Kurt Capewell told NCA Newswire.

Although Marshall hasn't run out in a Kiwi jersey since 2012, his early-season form proves he would still be up to the task if given the opportunity.

"You'd think [his chances of a recall] would have to be fairly good," Cleary said.

"I'm not picking the team but he's certainly passionate about the Kiwis and he's playing well so if he keeps that up he'd surely have to be in the running there somewhere."

Ivan Cleary's advice pre-game worked wonders for the embattled side with an upset win in Chris Lawrence's 200th NRL game in the Telstra Premiership.

Cleary will take on the role of Head Coach until the end of the 2020 NRL season.

Cleary, 46, has coached 252 NRL games at the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers, plus was Head Coach of the 2015 Prime Minister's XIII team and was named the 2014 Daly M Coach of the Year.

The former head coach of the Penrith Panthers and New Zealand Warriors has agreed to take charge of The Cedars at this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

Cleary has a wealth of coaching experience, overseeing the Warriors’ NRL side between 2006 and 2011, before starting a three-year stint with the Panthers in 2012 with a total of 249 games experience under his belt.

Speaking about his appointment, Cleary said the opportunity to guide a developing nation to this year’s Rugby League World Cup was one that he was eager to take up.