New Zealand Rugby Union fix their sights on Benji

Kiwi league halfback and West Tigers star Benji Marshall is being teased to switch codes with the New Zealand Rugby Union admitting they have approached the 20-year-old.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said there has been a brief discussion.

Marshall was seen with NZRU officials at last weekend's Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney where he watched the All Blacks win at the invitation of the New Zealand officials.

"We have made inquiries with Benji to see what his intentions are at the end of the year and offered him an open invitation to come and talk to us if he's considering a return to rugby union as an option - that's as far as it has gone," Tew said.

Marshall comes off contract with the NRL club at the end of the year. He is a very talented inside back who has made a rapid rise in the league ranks, including test honours with the Kiwis.

Tew said Marshall had been identified by the NZRU scouting system in Australia as a league player who could make the switch.

Marshall has scored 11 tries for the Tigers this year to put them well into the playoffs picture although he is reported to be struggling with a shoulder injury.

The Tigers have offered Marshall a new three-year deal, supposedly worth more than $300,000 a season.

Tasesa Lavea was the last NRL player to make a switch to the New Zealand game, moving from the Melbourne Storm to Auckland where he has succeeded Carlos Spencer at first five-eighths for both the Blues and the Auckland NPC team.