RHYSE Martin was sympathetic to the plight of Salford Red Devils after the beleagured Betfred Super League club were trounced 74-12 by Hull KR on Thursday.
The Round 20 clash at Salford Community Stadium saw the Robins storm to their biggest win of the Super League era as well as chalk up a record margin of victory between these two sides, to move four points clear of Wigan Warriors at the top of the table.
Martin grabbed two of Hull KR’s 14 tries on the night and while the visitors were solely focused on the job they had to do, the Papua New Guinea empathised with what the players at financially-stricken Salford have been dealing with most of the year.
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A record #SuperLeague win for @HullKROfficial 🐦 pic.twitter.com/FZwgTJ1Uaq
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 31, 2025
“I’m grateful Hull KR are a stable club and we’re not having to worry about that,” Martin told BBC Five Live Sports Extra.
“These guys have got families and other issues outside of the sport they have to pay for and they have to live. I couldn’t imagine being in their shoes at the moment where you don’t know if you can eat in the next month.
“It is a tough one, hopefully they sort it out and can through the rest of the year without further issues.
“We just have to put it aside, we’re here to perform, we’re here to play at the top level of rugby league and it’s just unfortunate, their situation.”
The win over Salford, whose collective inexperience was underlined by all but one of their fullback and threequarter line wearing squad numbers in the 50s, made it three out of four for Martin since he returned to the Hull KR team on June 27 after nearly four months out injured.
The Papua New Guinea internationals two tries came on a night where he made 154 metres with an average gain of 10 metres per carry on the back of two clean breaks and four tackle busts.
Martin also kicked seven goals and made a team second-highest 25 tackles, and admitted it had taken some time for him to get back into the swing of things after so long on the sidelines.
“The first two games back were a bit of a baptism of fire,” Martin said.
“They were two tough games, end to end, and the old engine was struggling a bit.
“But I feel like I’ve found my rhythm a bit and I’m just going to try to keep building.
“I just want to keep building and enjoy my time.”