Mum was the greatest

RHYSE Martin has hailed his mum a hero for raising him and his four brothers despite her split from the Kumuls captain’s dad when he was only four years old.
Speaking to Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka on Fulltime Reserve earlier this month, the Leeds Rhino forward recalled her many sacrifices to ensure that he succeeded.
The 27-year-old’s father Steven is from Hula, Central, and mother Carolyn is from Australia.
“She has done a lot for us growing up,” said Martin, who became the first National Rugby League player to score 24 points or more in a losing side when his former club Canterbury lost 28-32 to the Canberra Raiders at Belmore two years ago.
“She had five boys so she was very lucky — she didn’t have a girl.
“Mom and dad split when I was four.
“Poor mom was caught in the middle of it.

“Me and (elder brother) Tyson used to get into fights and she used to break that up.
“Mum was the greatest. She gave me everything.
“She helped me through junior footy.”
Based in Proserpine, the former emerging Queensland squad member played his junior football in Mackay.
“It’s an hour’s drive (to get to Mackay),” said Martin, who has so far played 12 tests of Papua New Guinea.
“She sacrificed her time and got me through my junior footy.
“She made sure I was well looked after and that was all I needed.”
Former Mackay Cutter forward Tyson Martin played three tests for the Kumuls.