That no one was available to talk about it has made it sorrier still.
It is obvious the Blues have questions to answer, but unfortunately the intricacies of the New Zealand Rugby Union's central contracting system mean it is the national union in Wellington which will decide when they are.
Despite repeated requests for comment yesterday, the Blues said they were waiting on the NZRU's contracting team to finalise the release before being able to say anything, a frustrating position to be in for what is normally a forward-thinking outfit.
Meanwhile, as the Blues were forced to play it by the book, Marshall was revealing all to his Sydney media contact, including that he had come to the conclusion after half a season that he was an "average" rugby player but that he had enjoyed the experience and would be better for it.
It was a farcical state of affairs that seems a fitting conclusion to what was an ill-conceived plan from start to finish.
Yes, Marshall showed ambition to make the switch and attempt to make the All Blacks - you can't argue against that - and yes the Blues showed ambition in having a go at converting him to the 15-man game, but the franchise placed so many barriers in his way that it wasn't a surprise that he failed. The writing was on the wall after John Kirwan decided he couldn't trust Marshall at No10 following his efforts against the Hurricanes in Wellington when he replaced the injured Chris Noakes.
Marshall had originally been seen as a first-five, then a fullback who could cover No10, and then a fullback who wasn't good enough to cover No10.
A quick read of the comments attached to the latest match report on the Blues' official website give an indication of the depth of feeling among some supporters. While the anonymous venting can't be taken too seriously in any context, there were a couple of valid points made, including why the website hadn't seen fit to relay the news of Marshall's exit.
Here are a few other questions we would like answered:
- What exactly did Kirwan - who was understood to be the main driver in getting Benji on board - see in Marshall that made him go to Sydney to talk the former Tigers player into signing with the franchise?
- If it was X-factor, hasn't he already got enough of that in his backline?
- And wouldn't Beauden Barrett have been a better option?
Actually, that last question answers itself.
- By Patrick McKendry of APNZ
