New Blues recruit Benji Marshall has ruled himself out of playing in New Zealand's defence of the Rugby League World Cup in England next month as he focuses on his rugby union career.

Marshall's name was the most notable omission when a 17-man Kiwi training squad was named Wednesday. The squad was chosen from clubs that will not feature in Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) play-offs.

The 28-year-old playmaker recently ended a celebrated decade-long relationship with Wests Tigers in the NRL where he became the club's all-time leading points scorer.

He will join up with the Blues for the 2014 Super Rugby season with hopes of making the 2015 rugby union World Cup and the 2016 New Zealand rugby sevens Olympic team.

Although New Zealand league convenor of selectors Tony Iro wanted Marshall available for his World Cup squad in England and Wales, he said the player ruled himself out because of his impending code switch.

Read more: http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2...915966,00.html