BENJI MARSHALL shares a field for the first and only time today with his childhood hero Stacey Jones. Then he's prepared to supplant Jones as New Zealand's dominant player.

Declaring himself in career-best shape and confidence, Marshall said before today's World Cup warm-up in New Plymouth: "I am ready to lead."

Marshall will play five-eighth and Jones halfback in his farewell outing for the All Golds against New Zealand Maori at Yarrow Stadium, the start of the Kiwis' preparation for the tournament beginning on October 25.

It's an interesting juxtaposition: the Kiwis have struggled to replace Jones since his 2005 international retirement.

Marshall's fractured three-match Test career has hardly helped their search for a successor.

However coach Stephen Kearney says he's ready to anoint Marshall as his long-term No.6, having made the same pledge to give Thomas Leuluai a sustained opportunity alongside him at halfback.

"It's to have him as the six, which I think suits him best," Kearney said.

Marshall should savour his time with Jones, who admits that, despite a training program overseen by Warriors conditioner Craig Walker, anything more than 30 minutes in game time today "would be a bonus".

Watching them briefly together will be revealing. Kearney says it's mere perception that Marshall can't play a Jones-style organising role and hasn't needed to for the Tigers because of the presence of Robbie Farah and Brett Hodgson.

Marshall's intention to become a more senior figure is a clear signal he believes now is the time to fulfil the promise he showed in that remarkable 2005 premiership season.