Being PNG captain is no easy job, says Martin

RHYSE Martin says being captain of the Papua New Guinea Kumuls is not an easy task but the former Canterbury Bulldog insists he is relishing the challenge.
In an interview on Fulltime Reserve with Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League (PNGRFL) chairman Tsandis Tsaka on Friday, the 27-year-old said being named as captain in October came as a surprise.
“It took me a week to really understand the responsibility, the appreciation and the amount of respect it upholds in Papua New Guinea,” said the back-rower, who took up a two-and-a-half-year deal with English Super League club Leeds Rhino in a 2019 mid-season transfer from Cantebury. “All the players come to you with their experiences or problems when you’re in camp.
“You make sure the players are happy, comfortable and are doing everything right off the pitch.
“You don’t want to be telling them what they can and can’t do.
“But you have to make sure that they are making the right decisions for themselves.”
Martin, who debuted for Canterbury against the Brisbane Broncos in 2018, made 25 appearances for the Bulldogs before he refused a contract extension to take up a longer deal overseas.
Born in Cairns, the 180cm, 103kg Hula native said he enjoyed leading the national team at the inaugural Rugby League World Cup Nines in Sydney (October) and the Oceania Cup test against Fiji in New Zealand (November).
Martin also led the Kumuls to their historic 28-10 test win over the touring Great Britain Lions at the Oil Search National Football Stadium in Port Moresby in November.
“I’m still trying to understand how to do it (captain the Kumuls),” he said.
“I just try to lead the players by my actions and not tell them what to do.
“I try to let them be themselves and let them give their best.
“Everyone is different.
“I love this job (Kumuls captain). It’s highly respected.”