MARTIN IS READY FOR HAYNE IN FINAL FIGHT
COWBOYS playmaker Te Maire Martin insists New Zealand can bounce back from their shock World Cup loss to Tonga but says beating Fiji in Saturday’s quarter-final isn’t as simple as stopping opposite number Jarryd Hayne.
After being overlooked for the Tonga game, the Kiwis have recalled Keebra Park product Martin at five-eighth in place of Kodi Nikorima for the do-or-die clash in Wellington.
A win would likely set up a five-eighth battle with Cowboys halves partner and Australia playmaker Michael Morgan next week.
But while Martin’s duel with Fiji No.6 Hayne will be pivotal, the 22-year-old said shutting down the big-name Gold Coast Titan wasn’t a one-man job.
“Everyone knows you can’t just focus on him, you’ve got to focus on their forwards as well,” Martin said.
“Coming from a halves perspective, trying to go forward when you’re forwards aren’t isn’t too easy.
“He’s got that X-factor and we’ll have to work on him.
“If he gets one-on-one, he’s like Rog (Kiwis fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) or Shaun (Johnson, Kiwis halfback). He’s going to beat them most of the time.”
Having moved to Townsville mid-season after being unwanted by Penrith, Martin helped guide the Cowboys to the grand final.
He continued his resurgence by scoring a hattrick against Scotland in his sole World Cup game so far.