Green’s changes thrust ‘ student’ playmaker into vital Cowboys role Martin gets his chance
COWBOYS playmaker Te Maire Martin thought he’d be spend most of the season getting mentored by two of the best halves in the game.
But he admits coach Paul Green’s call to shift Michael Morgan to fullback to accommodate him in the halves has given him confidence he can help turn their season around.
Martin was tutoring youngsters at Willows State School yesterday as part of the Cowboys and Stockland’s Adopt A School program, but fully expected to be the student to Morgan and Johnathan Thurston this year.
Morgan’s switch to the back in Saturday’s agonising 20- 19 home loss to Souths has accelerated the 22- year- old’s learning curve.
“The plan this year was to just train and learn as much as I can off JT and Morgo, but as it’s happened I’ve got the chance to play alongside both of them ( in the halves),” Martin said.
“I haven’t played 80 minutes since round two but I really enjoyed it, and I thought Morgo went really well at fullback.
“It was a bit heartbreaking to lose the way we did, but it was a step in the right direction.”
Green’s decision to drop mainstay fullback Lachlan Coote was a brave move, but Morgan took advantage of his freedom to roam by setting up both Cowboys tries scored by Antonio Winterstein.
Green said after the match he intended to stick with the changes, which will give Martin a huge opportunity to cement a halves spot after Thurston retires.
He faces a tough challenge on Friday in a five- eighth duel with Melbourne star Cameron Munster at 1300SMILES Stadium.
“I’ve got the job from Greeny I need to do. Support play, defence, pushing up on the short side, all that type of stuff,” he said.
“Just the basics and if I do those properly, it makes everyone’s job a bit better.
“There’s still a lot more games to go and we have left it a bit late, but we have full faith we can come back.”
An after- the- siren penalty goal from Souths halfback Adam Reynolds consigned the Cowboys to a 3- 8 hole after Jake Granville was ruled offside putting pressure on a Reynolds field goal attempt.
A shattered Granville could be seen yelling expletives afterwards but Martin said his teammates had rallied around him.
“He was obviously gutted on what he did but it wasn’t his fault, he was putting pressure on Reynolds and if he didn’t, he would have easily got that drop kick,” Martin said.
“It’s a bummer it happened to him, he’s the nicest bloke but all the guys got around him and tried to pick his confidence up, he’ll be all right.”
Martin said he enjoyed using his profile to teach life lessons to the Willows State School students.
“I remember a Chiefs ( rugby union) player came and spoke at our school when I was in New Zealand. We all enjoyed listening to what he had to say,” Martin said.