Bide your time

League: Kiwis half Te Maire Martin has been urged to ‘‘learn off the best’’ – Australian superstar Johnathan Thurston – at the North Queensland Cowboys this season. Martin, 22, played 12 games for the Cowboys – including the NRL grand final – in 2017 after a mid-season signing from the Penrith Panthers. With Thurston out injured, Martin paired with Queensland and Australian half Michael Morgan, but the Kiwi is expected to see less game time this year with Thurston returning for his final NRL season. Cowboys coach Paul Green has recommended Martin – a Kiwis’ regular at the Rugby League World Cup – make the most of a learning opportunity.