Leeds Rhinos second-rower Rhyse Martin has paid tribute to his team-mates for the support they have given him following the recent passing of his father.
Martin lost his dad last month, during the week of the Rhinos' home clash against Warrington Wolves, but decided to play in the Super League opener before flying home to Australia on compassionate leave to be with his family.
Having missed the games against Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons, Martin returned to England on Monday and played in Thursday’s win at Wakefield Trinity.
Asked how he was coping, Martin told Rugby League Live: “Up and down at the moment – some days are good and other days are a bit harder.
“But all in all I’m happy to be back doing what I love.
“The boys are all great lads and they have been looking after me and making sure I’m doing okay and keeping me busy as well.
“It’s not been a normal week for me. I flew in on Monday, just did a light session in the gym on Tuesday and then did the team run with the boys.
“I felt a bit off with the timing but I’m okay and just glad to be back into it.”
Martin said his team-mates had rallied round him and messages of support from Leeds fans had also helped lift his spirits.
“The support has probably been the biggest thing from the club and the fans,” he explained.
“The way the team have got around me and helped me through the last couple of weeks has been unreal – I love them for it.
“It’s a brotherhood and they know I’m here away from my family, so the guys have been checking in and keeping me busy.
“They have been taking me out for coffees and not let me sit at home by myself.
“I got a lot of messages from the guys individually.”
Martin said his decision to play against Warrington in round one was driven by a desire to do his old man proud.
“It was all emotion really,” said the Papua New Guinea captain.
“I knew my dad wouldn’t have wanted me to miss that game.
“He wouldn’t have wanted to miss any games really, so I just knew that if I didn’t play it would have been the worst thing for me.
“I knew that he would have been proud of me for playing and not letting my team-mates down, so that’s why I did it.”
Martin said he was determined to remain ultra-professionalism at an emotionally fraught time.
He added: “I’ve got to get my mindset right for each game and use him as my motivation going into each week and not slip on little things such as my diet and recovery.
“I shouldn’t take the easy option and maybe he will keep me a bit more honest thinking about it.
“Emotionally it doesn’t last too long in games but it’s everything leading into it.”
Martin was delighted to have helped Richard Agar’s men to victory at Belle Vue on Thursday.
He started in the 34-18 win and admitted: “I was glad to get subbed off in the last five minutes because I couldn’t feel my legs.
“For us as a group it’s massive. It is tough when you’re not winning, especially with the quality team we’ve got, because there is a lot of pressure on you to perform every week.
“When you play for the Rhinos, everyone wants to beat you, so you have to turn up.
“To get a nice win like we got at Wakefield will get us moving in the right direction.”
