Kiwi rugby league legend Benji Marshall has signed with South Sydney Rabbitohs for the 2021 season.
The 35-year-old will extend his career into an 18th season and will once again team up with master coach Wayne Bennett.
Marshall played under Bennett previously at Brisbane Broncos, as well as with the NZ Kiwis, when Bennett assisted Stephen Kearney to win the World Cup in 2008, and with the NRL All Stars, where Benji was captain in 2012 and 2013.
The Kiwis legend wanted to join a Sydney-based club to ensure he could remain close to his family and signing with the Rabbitohs means that has happened.
The Whakatane native has represented New Zealand in 31 test matches, winning an NRL premiership in 2005 with Wests Tigers and playing more than 300 NRL games.
Rabbitohs head of football Mark Ellison says the club is excited to have Marshall.
"Anyone who follows rugby league will understand what an asset Benji will be for our team and our club throughout 2021," Ellison says.
"He is a leader of men, he has been playing at the highest levels of the game over a long and distinguished career, and comes with the highest of recommendations from Wayne [Bennett]."
Where Marshall will fit in on the field at the Rabbitohs is unclear, with Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker the incumbent halves pairing, but his experience will be critical for the younger players coming through.
"He will provide great support to the experienced halves pairing we have in Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker, and his experience and knowledge that he can pass down to the young up-and-coming halves we have at the club will be priceless," Ellison says.
