Blair says Benji can lift Kiwis

With Shaun Johnson now in serious doubt for the World Cup, is it time for Kiwis selectors to consider an unlikely recall for Benji Marshall?

Marshall may no longer be the NRL’s great entertainer but Brisbane teammate and new Kiwis captain Adam Blair said Marshall deserves to be in the mix for the World Cup.

‘‘I really enjoy playing with Benji in general,’’ Blair told The Sunday Star-Times earlier this week before Johnson’s injury. ‘‘I’ve had opportunities through the Kiwis and at the (Wests) Tigers, and it’s great to see someone like him admit that he went away from what he does well but has come up here with a new lease of life and really just enjoy the moments he has left.

‘‘It’s great to see because when he’s at his best he’s unstoppable.’’

Even if Johnson’s diagnosis is not as bad as initially feared and he manages to recover in time for the World Cup in late October, Marshall could still play an important role.

There is no question that Johnson and Kieran Foran are the firstchoice playmakers and Kiwis coach David Kidwell does have a couple options in the halves.

But Marshall is a big-game player and provided he maintains his from for the rest of the year, who better to step up in a World Cup semi-final or final if Johnson or Foran are unavailable.

‘‘We’re reaping all the rewards at the Broncos through our younger players by having his knowledge and leadership around,’’ Blair said.

‘‘Maybe if he’s playing really well the selectors may look down that path because a World Cup is pretty important and he’s been there and done it before and at that stage was one of the best players going around.

‘‘It would be great to have someone of his experience around for the group.’’