James’ rugby journey comes full circle

From scrawny teenager to travelling the world as a professional rugby player, James Marshall has now come back to his Nelson roots. He speaks to Jonty Dine about his journey.

James Marshall knew he was never going to be the biggest, fastest or strongest player.

However, that didn’t stop him chasing his dream of playing professionally.

“I was always small, skinny and weak and I knew that was going to be a big reason coaches wouldn’t pick me.”

James didn’t even take an immediate liking to rugby.

He still recalls his first venture to a footy field as a five-year-old.

“I hated it; it was too rough for me.”

He says it was something he grew to love through his passion of watching.

“I was a full-on code head.”

James says he wanted to take the ‘you’re not strong enough,’ factor out of the equation.

In lieu of presents for birthdays and Christmases, a young James asked his parents for a gym membership and the grind began.

“I always wanted to be a professional, but I wasn’t that good. I missed out on the college U16 and U15 A teams. I thought realistically I won’t make it if I’m not even the top 26 players in my school.”

So, James set himself the goal of making the 1st XV by 7th form or he would give up the game.

“I found the more I sacrificed and harder I worked, the more started to happen.”

James would achieve his goal a year earlier than expected and soon found himself playing in a UC Championship final at Jade Stadium.

Nelson was well beaten by a Christchurch side featuring future stars in Tim Bateman, Matt Todd, Owen Franks and Nasi Manu, but the experience cemented James’ ambitions.

He was then invited to a New Zealand U19 camp where his commitment in the gym impressed his teammates.

The lightest player at camp, James stunned future All Blacks Israel Dagg, Ryan Crotty, Aaron Smith and Sam Whitelock with a staggering 140kg bench press.

Following four seasons with the Mako, James made the decision to move north to progress his career further.

“I left to give myself a crack at Super, I was offered a wider squad contract and joined Taranaki.”

His time with the Bulls was successful and included a fierce final with some familiar faces.

“That final in 2014 against the Mako was the most intense game I’ve ever played. There was so much banter and niggle, it was full on, the boys were right into me and I was giving it back to be fair.”

His form for Taranaki in Beauden Barrett's absence saw him pick up a Hurricanes contract in late 2012.

The ‘Canes enjoyed an historic run of success which culminated in consecutive Super Rugby finals in 2015 and ‘16.

“I was playing in a team full of superstars, everyone in the team was an international barring myself and Reggie Goodes.”

So good was James’ form, he would force one of either Nehe Milner-Skudder, Corey Jane or Julian Savea onto the bench.

“To think I was starting ahead of All Blacks, I used to have to pinch myself.”

The next stop on James’ journey was with London Irish.

“My wife is from England, so a big part was for her to reconnect with her family.”

Just two years into a three-year contract, London Irish was relegated, and James was once again on the move, joining the Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan

“We loved Japan, there was a lot of downtime for the family and so we grew really tight.”

However, the game began to take a toll on James’ body.

“The last three years were really tough on my hip, even putting my left boot on was a real struggle. I started to not enjoy the game as much.”

James officially hung his boots up in 2020 following surgery.

“I am still struggling to walk properly and can’t run. I miss running around with the kids in the backyard.”

As James looked to his next chapter, it was an old rugby connection which led to a new role.

Nelson College 1^st XV coach Jono Phillips was the Hurricane’s skills coach during his time in the capital.

After helping establish a rugby academy at the school, Jono this year offered James a role with the year 10 rugby class.

“I had moved around so much in my career that I said to my wife, once I finish rugby we will settle down.”

This vow was tested almost immediately when the Hurricanes offered James a job as backs coach.

It was a tough decision, but having just had a third son, James opted to remain in Nelson.

“It just didn’t work, and I have no regrets. It’s nice being settled here, the kids are loving it and the wife is happy which is the main thing.”

James says coaching was always a part of his plan after playing.

“I’m pretty happy with how my post-rugby career is going. It’s always an area that gives you a bit of anxiety as a player, ‘what is it going to be like when I finish?’”

He is also loving fatherhood, with his three sons - aged five, two and 11 weeks.

“It’s full on but I’ve always wanted to be a dad, it’s such a rewarding job, and brings life into perspective.”

Though he will not be pushing them into footy, his middle son loves running around with a ball emulating his favourite player.

“He loves Jordie Barrett, he always chucks on my Hurricanes 15 jersey but then calls himself Jordie. He doesn’t want to be me, and fair enough I’d rather be Jordie too,” James jokes.

James is also juggling a successful podcast which he created during lockdown.

What a Lad! features James interviewing high profile players in hopes of giving fans an insight into what players are really like.

“Watching guys get interviewed by media, they are never themselves, which is a real shame because people don’t get to see what good lads they are.”