Benji Marshall has set his sights on earning an All Blacks call-up © Getty Images

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Rugby league star Benji Marshall has confirmed he has signed for Auckland-based Super Rugby side the Blues on a two-year deal.

Marshall, 28, has carved out a formidable reputation during an 11-year stint with the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition in Australia but will return to his native New Zealand next month.

The talented Marshall has also played 27 times for the New Zealand rugby league side, and captained the Kiwis from 2009-2012, but has turned down the opportunity to feature at this year's Rugby League World Cup in favour of launching his quest to become an All Black.

In a statement that accompanied a video released on YouTube, Marshall said he was excited by the challenge and the chance to play rugby under Blues boss Sir John Kirwan. "Based on what JK has told me about the winning culture the Blues are working to create and where he sees my part in that, I'm really looking forward to this next stage of my sporting career."

Kirwan, who is reportedly reluctant to throw Marshall into ITM Cup with provincial side Auckland, also expressed his delight at his latest signing. "I'm really excited," he said. "It has been bit of a process because it's obviously a big decision for Benji but he's really excited about the challenge and we're thrilled to have someone with his professionalism and ability in the organisation. I think it's going to be a great journey for us all."

He added: "Benji has the ability to break open a game; he's one of those players that does the right thing at the right time. He has great footwork and a good passing game so we can see those attributed being really beneficial to the Blues and to rugby union."

It is unclear as to where Marshall will play but his clear play-making ability, having featured at stand-off throughout his league career, and the Blues' failure to land the services of Hurricanes fly-half Beauden Barrett suggests his future may be at No.10 - but Kirwan insists he remains open-minded.

"I've always said I'm not going to put any pressure on that," said Kirwan, "obviously he's a talented player so perhaps 15, 12 or 10 but we don't really know yet, we're leaning towards 15 but we'll just have to wait until he joins the team for pre-season training and see how it goes."