Waratahs admit contact with NRL star Benji Marshall but Kiwi pride and Israel Folau hurt possibility

THE Waratahs admit they've spoken with Benji Marshall but his Kiwi pride and Israel Folau appear to have scuttled any possible switch.

THE Waratahs admit they've spoken with Benji Marshall but his Kiwi pride and Israel Folau appear to have scuttled any possible switch.

NSW captain Dave Dennis confirmed rumours the Tahs and Marshall's management had held recent discussions, with an eye to the disgruntled Tiger playing fullback in rugby.

"I think there's been a bit of truth to that. You've seen how good Izzy's gone, if he was to come, you never know, it could be an absolute flop but if he is a skillful player and if he was to come I might see him as a No.15 or something, out the back," Dennis said. 

But short of Marshall playing for loose change, chances of the 28-year-old playing rugby are, effectively, next-to-none.

The Waratahs are banking on both Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale to re-sign with them next season, exhausting their salary cap.

Even if both fell through, Marshall's proud New Zealand heritage is understood to be a major hurdle.

Unless Marshall declared himself available for the Wallabies – which he doesn’t want to do - the ARU would not offer him any top-up money, and the Waratahs couldn't afford his $750,000 a season price tag on their own for a foreign marquee player.

"I think it depends on what other blokes do. If Israel stays and Kurtley is keen to come, I don't think we'll have much room for him," Dennis said. "But if those fall through it's an option that he's willing to take up, Benji. 

"We'll see what happens. But at the moment it's pretty far off, but there is a bit of truth to it I think, I think he's interested in having a crack at rugby."