Marshall played only 212 minutes in eight Super Rugby matches © Getty Images

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Features: The Benji Marshall problem

Benji Marshall has said that frustration and a lack of playing time were not the reasons behind his decision to seek a release from his Blues contract.

After playing just 212 minutes in eight Super Rugby matches for the Blues, Marshall has described himself as "just an average rugby player".

Former New Zealand rugby league captain Marshall told Fairfax Media he had no regrets in switching codes from the National Rugby League to rugby union and believes his time in the sport will help him when he returns to league this season. Marshall said his move to Super Rugby "just didn't work out" as he and Blues coach John Kirwan had hoped.

"My lack of the technical aspects of rugby union was what was letting me down and I felt like I was playing rugby league on a rugby field with 14 other rugby players," Marshall said. "But I definitely don't regret it because I have got everything I wanted to get out of it except the performance on the field, which just hasn't worked out the way I wanted it to and I am just an average rugby player. I got a fresh start back in New Zealand, got fit, got the motivation, got the hunger and I feel real good and feel fresh.

"I had a crack at it and it just didn't work out, but honestly I haven't been this happy for a long time and I feel like I am a better person for being here."

In a weekend meeting between Marshall and Kirwan, it was suggested Marshall either play the rest of the season in the lower tiers to help improve and prepare him for the 2015 Super Rugby season or return to rugby league.

"The decision was not about being frustrated about game time, I love it here," Marshall said. "I have probably got a couple of years left in me realistically and I want those to be enjoyable and competitive and at the highest level. I don't really want to go back to club level and have to start again in rugby."