Stepping in as an emergency halfback last round, utility Te Maire Martin will again help guide the Warriors after being named in the No.7 jersey to face the Dragons.
In last week’s Magic Round win over the Broncos, Martin came from the extended bench after only six minutes, after Tanah Boyd suffered what Warriors have confirmed was season-ending ACL injury.
Despite it only being his first NRL game of the season – and his second game overall since suffering a broken leg representing the Māori All Stars in February this year – Martin was able to step into the role with aplomb. As well as scoring a try, he set up two others in their 42-12 victory.
“Second broken leg now I've had in the last two years, but it's just how it sort of works, isn't it?” Martin said.
“(Recovery) was actually a lot quicker than my last one, but one game back and then I sort of wasn't expecting to go on (against the Broncos) unless something happened and unfortunately, Tanah went down, which is a bummer because he's been playing so well.
“You never want to play because of injuries, but if you do, you've got to be ready.
Concern for Tanah Boyd
“It was sort of a different one, because I was practicing a few different positions during week and I didn't actually practice anything at half.
“I've done a lot of stuff at fullback in case Taine [Tuaupiki] went down because Charnze [Nicoll-Klokstad] and Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck] are obviously out.
“I've done a little bit of stuff at hooker and last week when I played Cup, I played 13, so a bit all over the shop.
“(To step in at halfback) I think it's just the way our system works, we have a system there and we've got some good depth.
“We have still got [Luke] Metcalf there too and some of the younger boys that are coming through [Jett] Cleary and Lukey Hanson, it's just we've got a system there and everyone knows their role.
“So, it's pretty easy to fit in there on the back of what our forwards and our outside backs are doing.
“(In a game) you get your defence right, everything else sort of snowball effects on that.”
After debuting with the Panthers a decade ago, Martin’s longevity in the game has been extraordinary, given he was forced out of the NRL in 2019 with a bleed on the brain, before making his remarkable return to the NRL in 2022.
In that time, he has gained a reputation for his reliability and his versatility, something which is likely to keep him in the Warriors line-up, either starting or as a super-sub on the bench, for a long time yet.
“It is up to Webby [coach Andrew Webster] and we've still got Luke for the rest of the year, we've seen what he did last year,” Martin said when asked about his long-term role with the club this season.
“Honestly, I'm easy. I enjoy playing.
“If he wants me to play that role, I'll do it. But, we've got depth – a lot of depth – and if he wants to go with Lukey, I honestly don't mind.
“I just enjoy playing.
“(I hope) I can squeeze in there somewhere … if my role is to do that backup thing again, then I'll do it.
“I'm just enjoy playing footy … I just really enjoyed the game, training probably the most I've ever enjoyed it, so I'm just excited.”
With his team flying high in second spot on the ladder and buoyed by a big win in front of a vocal pro-Warriors crowd at Magic Round, Martin has every right to be excited about what’s ahead.
However, with a trip to Kogarah on the cards against a Dragons side desperately seeking a drought-breaking win followed by a top-of-the-table clash against Penrith, Martin knew the importance of maintaining the team’s high standards and focus.
“It's a really important time this part – around Origin and stuff like that,” Martin said of keeping momentum up in their season.
“We've got two games then a bye; so we're thinking of week-by-week.
“But it’s a real important period this middle part of the year.”
Match: Dragons v Warriors
Round 12 -
home Team
Dragons
17th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: St George Venues Jubilee Stadium, Kogarah
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
