Aussie Warrior wants to be a Kiwi
26 January 2006
By ROBERT LOWE
Australian-born centre Tony Martin wants to follow in the footsteps of fellow-New Zealand Warrior Brent Webb and play rugby league for the Kiwis.
Martin, 27, is eligible to represent New Zealand at the end of the year based on the length of his residency on this side of the Tasman.
The Queenslander said making himself available to wear the black jersey was something he had thought about seriously.
His wife's family is from New Zealand, while the couple's 13-month-old son, Tana, named after former All Black rugby captain Tana Umaga, was born in Auckland.
"At the end of the year, I would have been here for three years, so I would qualify to play for New Zealand," he said.
"It's definitely something that really excites me. Obviously how I'm playing is the big thing but I've got that at the back of my mind."
Martin said he spoken to his wife, Mel, about the issue and "she's obviously very supportive of it".
AdvertisementAdvertisementHe said he barracked for New Zealand during the Tri-Nations final in Leeds in November, when the Kiwis whitewashed the Kangaroos 24-0.
With a large contingent of Warriors in the New Zealand squad, it was the natural thing for him to do, he said.
"I had mates playing there, and you have to support your mates."
The one thing that would derail Martin from targeting a spot in the Kiwis would be if he got selected beforehand for the Queensland State of Origin squad.
However, he admitted he wasn't getting his hopes up too high on that score.
"They've had an Origin camp so they have pretty much got their house in order."
Fullback Webb, also originally from Queensland, has gained 10 Kiwis caps since making his test debut during the 2004 Tri-Nations tournament.
Martin, a member of the Melbourne Storm's grand final-winning side in 1999, joined the Warriors from the London Broncos.
The goal-kicking three-quarter is looking ahead to the new National Rugby League season with particular anticipation, after the frustrations of a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
He made 18 first-grade appearances in his first year with the Warriors in 2004 but managed just two last year before serious injury struck.
The mishap came in the away win over Brisbane in March and led to him needing neck surgery.
"Last year football-wise was a bit of a nightmare," he said.
"It's been 10 months since I've played, so I'm really looking forward to the trials."
Martin said he now felt 100 percent and had ceased to think about his neck during the Warriors' full-contact training sessions.
"It's come through all guns blazing, so all ticks in that department."
He said New Zealand's Tri-Nations triumph had given everyone at the club a lift ahead of a new campaign.
"It's an exciting time for everybody and those who were with the Kiwis came back from the UK really excited as well," he said.
"Every year there's confidence, but this year there just seems to be that little bit extra."
The Warriors open their NRL programme with a home match against the Storm on March 12.
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