Wests Tigers boss Stephen Humphreys has ruled out any prospect of releasing Benji Marshall so the star playmaker can chase a deal playing rugby in Japan, declaring: "This will not be happening".
Reacting to a media report suggesting Marshall wanted to follow Sonny Bill Williams' lead and sandwich a rugby stint in between NRL seasons, Humphreys emphatically knocked the idea on the head, allaying the fears of fans and club sponsors.
Marshall's manager Martin Tauber also poured cold water on the prospect of his client taking up a short-term rugby deal.
Directing his statement at Tigers fans, Humphreys said on Thursday: "Let me put your minds at rest. This will not be happening.
"I have spoken with Benji's manager, Martin Tauber, this morning who assures me that Benji is totally committed to his contract with Wests Tigers for the next three seasons.
"The most important message for you, as a Wests Tigers supporter, is that Benji Marshall will remain an integral member of our team and will not be seeking a release from his contract."
Tauber attempted to free Marshall for a Japanese rugby deal after the 2009 rugby league season, only for then NRL boss David Gallop to block the move.
He ruled out a fresh approach despite Williams signing a 12-match deal with Japan club rugby franchise Panasonic ahead of a return to the NRL with the Roosters.
"At the present moment he's not going anywhere. He's contracted to the Tigers to 2015," Tauber said of Marshall.
"Nothing will change. He's not going anywhere.
"There is no future to it (playing rugby in Japan over summer). There are too many difficulties."
But Tauber admitted Marshall would look at playing rugby when his NRL contract expires in 2015.