Rugby circles Benji as Smith steps in "It would be great to see him stay in the game and we are happy to talk with him at any time": NRL CEO Dave Smith. Benji Marshall's manager held talks with three Super Rugby outfits on Tuesday, and confirmed Japan was an option, as NRL chief executive Dave Smith attempted to intervene to prevent the five-eighth from switching codes. Smith telephoned Marshall on Tuesday in an attempt to keep him in the NRL, but as rugby union clubs zeroed in following the Kiwi's request for a release from Wests Tigers, he also conceded following that conversation his efforts would probably be in vain. Marshall's agent Martin Tauber confirmed he had discussions with officials from the NSW Waratahs, Melbourne Rebels and the Auckland Blues on Tuesday, but maintained a decision on the Kiwi's future was still weeks away. "He's a guy who is excited about the next stage of his professional career": Blues coach Sir John Kirwan. Photo: brendan esposito\n Tauber sent release paperwork to Tigers chief operating officer Grant Mayer on Tuesday morning, officially declaring Marshall would reject an upgraded deal for 2013-15 worth just more than $2 million in order to likely switch codes. "We've now had an approach from the Waratahs, which we're keen to pursue, and I've also had a further conversation with the chief executive of the Auckland Blues [Andy Dalton], and we're continuing those talks," Tauber said. But nothing is firm or fixed. Tauber also said he had held discussions with Rob Clarke, the chief executive of the Rebels. Fairfax Media has also been told Clarke has spoken to ARU boss Bill Pulver about the potential signature. The Tigers sub-committee of Mayer, coach Mick Potter and a member of both Wests and Balmain met on Tuesday night with recommendations put forward for the board to vote on on Wednesday morning. Mayer said the club wanted a decision in time for Friday's Leichhardt Oval match against the Warriors, for Marshall's sake. As some, including Tauber, suggested NRL officials could have done more to keep Marshall in the game, Smith said he had previously offered support to the Tigers in their attempts to re-sign the 28-year-old. "We have been in contact with the Wests Tigers in relation to Benji's negotiations over recent weeks and have offered support if needed," he said. Our chief operating officer Jim Doyle, who knows Benji closely through his time at the NZRL, had already attempted to contact Benji a number of times over recent weeks. Both Jim and I have spoken to Benji [on Tuesday] and made it clear we'd be happy to work through any issue but sadly it seems he is pretty clear about his intentions. It's unfortunate to see what has happened here because Benji has had such a great career on and off the field at the Tigers. It would be great to see him stay in the game and we are happy to talk with him at any time. Despite speculation to the contrary, Marshall's future remains up in the air. He would like to remain in Sydney and has spoken to Israel Folau about the Waratahs and union, but has also had a phone conversation with Blues coach Sir John Kirwan. The Rebels might also be a real option, given the club has recently lost Kurtley Beale and James O'Connor, and would presumably be in a position to offer a more lucrative deal. The Waratahs are attempting to sign Beale and re-sign fellow Wallaby Folau, which would make finding extra money for Marshall difficult. He would probably need to top up any deal with the Waratahs with a contract in Japanese rugby next year, something Tauber said was an option. Waratahs boss Jason Allen confirmed interest in the playmaker. "We've been chatting with his manager now for a couple of years and we are definitely interested in bringing Benji Marshall to the Waratahs," he said. There could be a slight opportunity but there are a lot of things that need to fall into place and come our way with Benji Marshall. We've got some very big decisions pending with Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale and they are our priorities. Kirwan confirmed he had spoken to Marshall. "He's a guy who is excited about the next stage of his professional career," he said.