Benji Marshall is seeking a return to the NRL, negotiating for an immediate release from Super Rugby’s Blues after struggling to adapt in his code switch.

The former New Zealand rugby league Test skipper has failed to make much impression in limited opportunities for the Auckland-based Blues in their eight Super Rugby games since his move from the NRL’s Wests Tigers.

The 29-year-old Marshall has instructed his manager Martin Tauber to begin talks with NRL clubs who may be interested in signing him.

The move comes after a weekend meeting with Sir John Kirwan in which the Blues coach suggested he either play the rest of the season in the lower tiers to help prepare him for the 2015 Super Rugby competition or return to rugby league.

“It just hasn’t worked out, it is disappointing,” Tauber told News Corp.

“He’s not had the game time he’d like.

“This has all happened over the last 36 hours.”

Asked if Marshall would be moving back to Sydney, Tauber said they had not spoken to any NRL clubs yet.

“It might be Queensland or it might be NSW, it depends who is interested in him,” Tauber said.

Cronulla, St George Illawarra, Parramatta, Melbourne and Brisbane have been suggested as club who could be interested in Marshall.

A mercurial playmaker, Marshall played 11 seasons and 201 matches for Wests Tigers since joining them as a schoolboy in 2003, and won a premiership there in 2005.

Marshall has played only one full game of Super Rugby for the 11th-placed Blues – at fullback against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein – while making five reserve bench appearances and being unused twice.

Recently, he’s looked uncertain, including during a 43-minute stint at five-eighth in the 39-20 loss to the Hurricanes on Friday after first choice Chris Noakes was forced off with a head injury.

Kirwan on Monday praised the progress made in the performances of his two starting five eighths this season – Noakes and 20-year-old rookie Simon Hickey – but wasn’t so effusive about Marshall.

“Our 10 (five eighth) issue is a problem,” said Kirwan told reporters in Auckland on Monday.

“With Chris getting a bit dinged before halftime, we saw that.

“Benji and I have had an honest conversation and spoken about where we’re at.

“He’s an incredibly good team man and an incredibly honest man so we’re having those discussions and moving forward.”