Hull KR forward Rhyse Martin has spoken ahead of the clash with his former club Leeds Rhinos, discussing that exit and his first season at Craven Park.
Martin was arguably the highest-profile off-contract player in Super League in 2024 and there was talk all year about what his future held with numerous clubs understandably involved in the Dream Team forward’s services.
Over a number of years, he had proved to be not only Leeds Rhinos’ best player but also their most consistent and that saw Grand Finalists Hull KR swoop for him in a move that shocked most of Super League.
Speaking to the media ahead of Thursday’s crunch meeting between his current club and former club, Martin has explained that exit and his motivations for signing with Hull KR.
“I think I’ve said a few times that it’s just wanting to challenge myself,” Martin explained, adding: “I was at the club for six years and I think if was time for me to move on.”
Hull KR expecting ‘tough game’ as ex-Rhinos man recalls exit
Confirmation of Martin’s move to Craven Park came less than a week after the news that Leeds coach Brad Arthur would extend his 10-game deal into the 2025 season, however, Martin explained that clarity on his coach’s situation wouldn’t have made any difference to his ambitions to seek out a new club.
When asked, he responded: “None. I think for me personally, I need that new challenge. I needed to earn that respect with your teammates again. I think it was just time for me to move on and challenge myself at a new club.”
That’s not to say that he wasn’t impressed with the former Parramatta Eels boss as he heaped praise on the impact that Brad Arthur has made during his time at Headingley.
Martin explained: “I think he just brought the accountability from the players which the team was asking for. They wanted that accountability and the challenge put upon them by the coach.
“I think the thing with Brad was the hard-nosed work ethic and then the skill-based rugby on top.”
With one result going the way of Hull KR and one the way of Leeds in the side’s two meetings this year, Martin is expecting another close contest.
He said: “I think at the moment, they’re one of the form sides, if not the form side in Super League. When you turn up against them you know you’re in for a tough game. Thursday night, we’re going to have to be having our best game against them.”
Rhyse Martin on his desire to ‘repay’ Hull KR
It’s not just been a different campaign for Martin based on the fact he is at a different club but also because of the fact he’s had a major injury to overcome, significant for anyone, but especially so for someone who rarely missed any games in recent years whilst at Leeds.
His Round Three quadriceps injury against Salford ruled Martin out for four months as he missed 12 Super League games and a Challenge Cup Final, more matches missed than in his previous four seasons combined at Leeds.
On that, he explained: “The injury was very new for me but I think the rehab process went very smooth which is a credit to the medical and rehab staff here. I didn’t have any setbacks, everything was progress and got me back exactly when I was expected back.”
He admitted to needing a couple of games to find fitness but spoke about his desire to get back onto the field and ‘repay the club’, something he feared he wouldn’t be able to do when handed down a Grade E charge by the disciplinary panel.
Hull KR successfully challenged it but Martin has recounted the ‘crazy’ experience and his emotions at the tie.
“It was unintentional,” he insisted, having been charged with making contact with an injured or potentially injured player.
“I was pretty stressed by it because I didn’t want to have 16 weeks off and then have another six weeks of not playing, so I just wanted to get back on the field and repay the club.
“They stuck by me and gave me all the support they could whilst I was off with injury so I just wanted to get back on the field and repay them by performing well.”
Neil Hudgell helped form part of the defence and Martin added: “I was just very grateful that Neil came in and fought for me.”
