‘It’s the most nervous I’ve ever been’ – Leeds’ Rhyse Martin looking forward to returning to field
Leeds’ Rhyse Martin says watching his team-mates from the sidelines was the most nervous he’s ever been as the goal-kicking back-rower eyes up a return to the field for Saturday’s Grand Final.
The 29-year-old admitted he almost threw up from nerves watching the Rhinos against Wigan in the semi-finals as his side secured the victory in the second-half with a 20-8 scoreline at the DW Stadium.
Now, the Papua New Guinea star is set to make his return from his two-match suspension for Saturday’s clash against St Helens at Old Trafford.
He has been included in Rohan Smith’s 21-man squad and looks to make an immediate return to the starting line-up for the big dance.
Rhyse Martin: ‘Before that Wigan game, I wanted to throw up’
“Those last two weeks have been tough and probably the most nervous I’ve ever been,” Martin told Leeds Rhinos.
“I just wanted to help as much as I could over those two weeks. I had all the belief the guys could get there. The way they’ve played the last two games has been unreal and now we’re in the big one and I’m excited.
“Before that Wigan game, I was nervous and I wanted to throw up. I was with the coaches and I was honestly thinking about throwing up in the bin. I don’t know what it is, but not playing is way worse.”
After a rollercoaster start to the season, the Rhinos are just 80 minutes away from lifting the Super League trophy and winning the competition from fifth spot in the table.
‘It’s been such a big year for us as a club’
“I just want to get out there,” Martin continued. “Once you’re out there, five or ten minutes, all the emotions and all the nerves are gone and you’re just in that battle.
“Once I’m in that battle, I think I’ll be focused in that heat of the moment and there won’t be any nerves at that point.
“It’s been such a big year for us as a club. All the challenges we’ve overcome, I think it’s a testament to the whole playing squad that have chipped in throughout the year to get us to where we are.
“St Helens have been the toughest team to play in the last three years. Playing them, you’ve always got to be up for it.
“They’re a very physical team. They’ve just been unreal for the last couple of years. We’ve got to focus on us, do what we do well, prep well and then turn up on Saturday and put our best performance on the field.”
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