Wests Tigers’ playmaker Benji Marshall’s management reportedly contacted Super Rugby franchise the Melbourne Rebels six weeks ago to gauge their interest in the NRL star.

According to News Limited, the Rebels insist the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) must make the first move before they can consider signing Marshall.

The 28-year-old is keen to play rugby union and has already been been linked to the NSW Waratahs and New Zealand outfit the Blues.

Marshall wants to quit the Tigers at the end of the season despite having two years left on his contract.

Rebels chief executive Rob Clarke has told the Herald Sun that the ARU has always taken the lead in the first instance in such situations.

“… Just like other big name league players in the past … it appears that that’s where the discussion is at at the moment.

“I’ve obviously said that, depending on the outcome of those discussions, then the Rebels would be open-minded but, really, that’s all that’s been done at this point in time.”

However, Clarke cautioned that with Marshall, the Rebels would not rush into anything.