Marshall agrees switch to Leeds Zinzan Brooke's latest column

Marshall, who will join Leeds Tykes next season, will win his 81st cap in the third Test against the Lions.

"He's has made a huge contribution and cemented his place in New Zealand rugby history," Brooke told BBC Sport.

"He's had to fight his way back so many times and that shows you the character of the man. You need people like him in your side when you're up against it."

The 31-year-old made his Test debut back in 1995, and captained New Zealand for five Tests in 1997.

Marshall found himself out of favour from time to time during his All Blacks career, but always managed to force his way back into the reckoning and became New Zealand's most-capped scrum-half of all time.

He's cemented his place in New Zealand rugby history Zinzan Brooke on Justin Marshall

"He's a real fighter, and to stay on the All Blacks scene for as long as he has is an incredible achievement in itself," added Brooke.

"It makes me feel a lot older now he's stepping down as he's one of the only guys in the team that I actually played Test rugby with."

Even though the match will be Marshall's last with the All Blacks, New Zealand coach Graham Henry refused to bow to pressure to drop Byron Kelleher to the bench.

Marshall and Kelleher have battled to secure the All Blacks number nine jersey in recent seasons.

But Henry did at least confirm that Marshall would be used as a substitute.

"I wasn't surprised that Graham Henry went with Byron," said Brooke.

"Graham's not exactly the sentimental type and Justin wouldn't want to be handed a Test jersey.