Rhyse Martin admits he will have to take some time to get used to the kicking conditions at his new home ground Craven Park. The Leeds Rhinos man will be making the move to Hull KR in the off-season after penning a two-year deal with the Robins.
It’s an exciting move for the back-rower, who will be watching on with a keen eye as the Robins push to reach their first ever Super League Grand Final next week. On paper he slots straight into Willie Peters’ pack, with Martin keen to carry the form that saw him named in the Super League Dream Team line up over to east Hull.
KR fans will be hoping he brings his kicking boots, too, with the Robins crying out for a reliable goalkicker. Martin has been one of the best from the tee since his arrival in Super League back in 2019, kicking 440 goals to take his points tally at Leeds to over 1,000.
However, after scoring a try against Hull KR for Leeds last Friday night, Martin missed his conversion effort from a relatively comfortable angle. And, never passing up the opportunity for some banter, the Rovers supporters let him know about it.
“I don’t know who they’re expecting…” Martin told Serious About RL with a grin. “No, it’s tough kicking there. I didn’t hit it too great and I knew exactly what I did wrong with it.
“I fixed that up and nailed the next two. You don’t get all of them but it’s somewhere where I’m going to practice and get used to the conditions.
“It’s different at both ends of the field, it swirls around at one end. It’s something that I’ll have to get some time in there and put the work in. The fans there are amazing but they wanted me to miss that one, that’s for sure.”
It was an emotional night for Martin as he bid one last farewell to the Leeds supporters, players and staff after six years at Headingley. However, he did manage to cross paths with Hull KR coach Peters for a brief chat after the game.
“It took me a while to get off the field and I bumped into him on his way out of a press conference,” he said. “I only had a small chat with him but I’m sure I’ll speak to him as the weeks go on.”
Martin was speaking at Monday’s Super League Dream Team media event after being named as one of the best back-rowers the competition had to offer in 2024. Rovers duo Mikey Lewis and Elliot Minchella were also included in the line-up and for Martin that speaks volumes about the organisation he will be joining.
“They’ve been great all year,” he said. “Look where they are, they were battling it out for the League Leaders’ until the last three or four weeks. They have some great players coming through, Mikey is a Hull boy and has come through their system, I think the club is investing into the right people.
“If we see them in a Grand Final this year we won’t be surprised I don’t think. Willie has been doing some big things since he came into that club.
“I’ve kept my head down and I’ve been focusing on what I can bring at Leeds but when I had my conversations with Willie and Paul Lakin, they want to win trophies, they want to win the Premiership, the Challenge Cup, they want it all. The aspirations are exciting and that’s why I think players are keen to be making the move over there.”
