Rhyse Martin will hang up the boots at the end of the year with the Hull KR forward set to become the Football Operations Manager at incoming NRL club PNG Chiefs, an appointment he has now explained.
Martin, 33, was always thought to be a name that PNG Chiefs might go after with the national team captain set to turn 35 in what will be the club’s inaugural NRL campaign in 2028.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Martin even admitted that himself but he’s explained that the decision to retire and take up an off-field role is one that’s based around his long-term future.
“Talking with my wife and my family and friends. I think I probably had a couple of years left of playing still and it was at the cost of giving up such a big opportunity to secure my future outside of playing,” Martin admitted.
“I just didn’t think it outweighed that and I’ve been very fortunate that I was able to be part of such a successful team last year. I think it was the right thing to do for my career post-footy.”
He added: “Initially, when the Chiefs got announced, I was thinking as a player, but I’ve been trying to put myself in a position while I am playing with education and all of that, so that I can move into a role and this really made sense for securing life after footy.”
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Hull KR forward Rhyse Martin content with decision to hang up the boots
Martin will begin his work in 2027, helping in the recruitment for the Chiefs alongside his current head coach Willie Peters, who was officially announced as the club’s first head coach earlier this year.
The Hull KR forward explained how the wheels started in motion on his appointment with the Chiefs shortly after Peters’ appointment was confirmed.
“It was probably a week or two after Willie got announced coach,” Martin said, adding: “I sat down with him at the start of the year, well before he was in the coaching conversations, and he sat me down and just asked me, where do I see myself in the next couple of years? What do I want to do after I finish playing?
“We spoke about that and then once he got announced head coach, there was a few opportunities with the football operations that needed to be filled. With what we spoke about, it kind of helped with the progression into that career after me. He wanted to help me progress with life after playing. We spoke about that and it just made sense.
“The serious conversations didn’t happen until maybe a week or two after Willie got announced head coach but when that opportunity was available, we spoke about it and then yeah, I started the conversation with Lorna (McPherson, CEO) and Michael Chammas (General Manager).”
Of course, taking up a role as the club’s Football Manager means he’s had to hang up the boots and given that he’s still in fine form, it could have been a difficult decision but Martin explained that isn’t the case.
On the decision, he said: “(It was) not hard at all. I’ve had a very fulfilled career. I’ve done a lot in my career. I’ve been very grateful to live in England and be able to play in the Super League and go travel the world in playing. I get to walk away currently healthy.
“My body’s feeling very good and I’ve just got a great opportunity that outweighs playing. Who knows, they might have a few too many injuries in 2028 and I might be out of retirement. I’m very content with my decision.
“I’ve loved every moment. It’s put me in this position where I can walk away happy.”
