Thrills and Spills

Justin Marshall has ended his rugby career playing for Saracens in the Guinness Premiership final against the Leicester Tigers. The 36-year-old, capped 88 times by his country, describes his last match, unable to hide his disappointment after the Men in Black’s title dreams were scuppered in the most dramatic fashion. The fierce competitor said: “I was very happy with my decision to retire leading up to the game but walking down the tunnel in Twickenham, all I could think about was needing to do one more year and win the final. It was the not the way I wanted the result to go, not on a personal note but for the club. You can’t help but be disappointed because we were in a position to win the game.” Looking back on an array of personal milestones, Marshall said: “I have had plenty of highs and lows but being in the World Cup and facing the British Lions was special. My first Test for the All Blacks was a thrill I can’t describe and if I hadn’t have earned another cap it wouldn’t have mattered after that.” Matuara-born Marshall will continue to work for Saracens as a consultant and will develop his media career for Sky in New Zealand.