The Hull KR back-rower celebrated a major career milestone in the Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield Giants.
Peta Hiku was named player of the match in Hull KR’s Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield Giants.
Hull KR boss Willie Peters hailed milestone man Rhyse Martin after the goal-kicking back-rower celebrated his 200th career appearance in style during the Robins’ 52-12 Challenge Cup demolition of Huddersfield Giants.
Martin marked the landmark with a solid all-round display, landing eight goals from nine attempts and producing a classy grubber to set up Mikey Lewis’ second try in the fourth round thrashing at the Acc Stadium.
The clash was Martin’s 21st appearance for the Robins since joining from Leeds Rhinos, after his debut campaign at Sewell Group Craven Park was disrupted by long-term injury. He has also featured for Canterbury Bulldogs, Papua New Guinea and the Combined Nations All Stars during his career.
But at 33, Peters insists the influential forward still has plenty left in the tank.
“Rhyse is a professional,” Peters said.
“He’s mid-30s, but the way he’s running and the way he’s moving, he’s still got a couple of years left in him. He’s a family man and I can only speak highly of Rhyse as a player and as a person.
“It’s good to be a part of one of his milestones – and it’s an important one for him.
“His team-mates enjoy playing with him and he adds something different to us. He can ball-play, he can kick and he’s got a short kicking game.
“He adds a little bit more to us and I really enjoy coaching him. I was really pleased for him.”
Centre Peta Hiku was another standout, claiming the player-of-the-match award after tearing apart Huddersfield’s defence on Hull KR’s right edge.
The Kiwi veteran grabbed his second try of the season and also played a key role in scores for Tom Amone and Sam Luckley.
Peters said: “He’s been one of our weapons for the last few years.
“He’s really important to us in what he does. It was good to give him some early ball and he showed what he can do when he gets that – he’s hard to handle.”