Marshall opts to play rugby over CFL tryout
Former Esks QB prospect happy on pitch
VANCOUVER – After Canada’s solid showing at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last fall, the Canadian Football League’s Edmonton Eskimos called Jason Marshall to see if he was interested in a tryout.
The former Simon Fraser University quarterback said no thanks. Marshall had already received an o er from Aurillac, a pro rugby team in France during the World Cup and life as a prop was beginning to take flight.
“I told the Eskimos I was going to France,” the 27-year-old Vancouver native said Wednesday at a news conference called to announce Canada’s international test against Georgia at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby,b.c., on June 23.
“I told them I didn’t know how it was going to work out (in France). I said if it doesn’t work out I might think about it,” continued Marshall, who had a tryout with the Eskimos in 2008 — it lasted all of four days.
“The guy I talked to, I can’t remember his name, said, ‘But it’s a completely di erent sta now, I know we didn’t give you a fair shot last time,’ . . . but I told him I’d signed a two-year deal (in France) and it wasn’t going to happen.
“I thanked them in Edmonton but I’m happy where I am right now. With the new (twoyear) contract I’m making a good salary, better than for anything I’d be doing here,” added Marshall, who has a degree in accounting.
Marshall had surgery three weeks ago on a torn left bicep and with the expected threemonth recovery period he’s questionable for the Georgia game. But he’ll do everything he can to be ready.
“I threw some touchdowns and some picks there (Swangard) with (Simon Fraser) so I’m excited to be going back there,” he said. “I’m really hoping to play in these matches in June.”
The Canada-georgia game is the third game of a threematch tour that starts in Kingston, Ont., against the United States on June 9 and continues in Toronto against Italy on June 15. Canada is ranked No. 13 in the world with the U.S. at 17, Italy at 11 and Georgia 15.
The tour will be Canada’s first games at home since the World Cup and the program is hoping to build on momentum they gained in New Zealand. The bearded Canadians were fan favourites, opening with a win over Tonga, before losing to France, tying Japan and then losing to the hosts and eventual champion All Blacks.
“There was huge interest for the guys and we had players like Jason getting pro contracts in Europe out of it,” said Gareth Rees, the former national team star who is now the manager of the national men’s program. “It was a really good foundation, but we can’t rest on our laurels. We have to keep going.”
After the World Cup Chauncey O’toole of Belleisle, N.B., signed with Ospreys, a pro team in Swansea, Wales and Jebb Sinclair of Fredericton, N.B., signed with London Irish, another pro team.
“It’s a very good opportunity,” Marshall said of his deal.