Import’s baptism at pivot
COWBOYS mid-season recruit Te Maire Martin has been handed his baptism of fire just a week after arriving at his new club.
The recent signing will play at five-eighth against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday in the nation’s capital, with Michael Morgan shifting to halfback.
Kyle Laybutt will return to the Townsville Blackhawks after playing five-eighth in the Cowboys past two games, with coach Paul Green eager to see the Bundaberg product continue to refine his game in the Queensland Cup.
Green said experience was the decisive factor in Martin being included as part of an otherwise unchanged Cowboys team, with Jake Granville and Shaun Fensom both expected to play after copping knocks in last weekend’s close win over Penrith.
“He (Martin) is a pretty smart kid, he’s learning quickly,” Green said. “The sooner we get him in there the sooner we get him up to speed.
“As long as he does his job that’s all I ask for at this stage. It’s all pretty new to him and it’s been a bit of a whirlwind.
“All I expect from him is that he’s doing his job well.”
Green said Laybutt’s demotion was by no means a setback for the Blackhawks regular, saying he would be given another NRL opportunity.
“Kyle probably just had a couple of defensive errors on the weekend, so he has a couple of things to work on, but I’ve got full confidence that he can become an NRL player,” he said.
“A part of that development process is that you get a couple of games and then go back into the Intrust Super Cup and practise and he’ll get another chance down the track.”
Martin and Morgan will bring a brand new halves pairing, and although the pair have had limited training together this week, Green said Martin would be ready.
“Morgo’s been on Origin duty and those guys had the early part of this week off just to give them a bit of a freshen up, but he (Martin) has fitted in well and he’s picking it up pretty quickly,” he said.
Green said injured star Johnathan Thurston would offer his insights in the near future, with the Origin great having “a bit on his plate”, but will have a handy instructor in Morgan.
“Morgo had been one of the guys who has really stepped up in that period we’ve been playing better as a team and I think he’s really embraced that leadership position,” Green said.