Wests Tigers may have put Benji Marshall back into a No.6 shirt but they insist his future is still as a halfback.

Marshall was named at five-eighth for the Tigers' crucial NRL clash with South Sydney on Saturday, ending a season-long run in the No.7 jersey.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens hinted at the change following the 21-10 loss to St George Illawarra last Friday, saying Marshall was almost trying too hard to prove himself.

While the Kiwi skipper will be back at pivot against the Rabbitohs, Tigers assistant coach Royce Simmons doesn't see it as the end of Marshall's time as a halfback.

"We think his future is still at seven," Simmons said on Tuesday.

"Seven or six, as we play the game, there's no difference.

"There's not too many changes there, just the combination of the six and the seven."

Simmons added criticism over Marshall's performances at halfback had probably been harsh, with the good often overlooked for the bad.

He said the performance against the Dragons, where several of Marshall's passes went astray, was indicative of that criticism.

"Everyone knows a few of Benji's passes didn't hit the mark but there was a couple of other ones that should have been taken and if they were taken would've turned into points," he said.

"If you look at the try assists of the halves, who are up leading it, Marshall's up there leading that.

"It wasn't his happiest game last week and we've worked and talked on that and we've given him the different combination just to see if that'll make any difference this week."

John Morris has made way for Marshall for the Rabbitohs' clash, with youngster Tim Moltzen moving from fullback to the No.7 jersey.

Morris will come off the interchange bench for Saturday's match, when fullback Shannon Gallant is set to make his first start since a lacklustre effort against Souths in round 10.

"Shannon's last game in first grade he played and he carried a little injury with it and he didn't play as well as we know he can," Simmons said.

"This time he comes into this game with good form for Wests and carrying no injuries so we're looking forward to seeing how the little fella goes."

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