RHYSE Martin admitted to feeling the nerves as he made his long-awaited return for Hull KR in their record-setting win over Wakefield Trinity.
The goal-kicking second row had been out of action for the Robins since suffering a quad injury, which required surgery, during the 42-0 win over Salford Red Devils on February 27.
But Martin managed around an hour on his comeback on Friday, including providing a try assist as the Betfred Super League leaders triumphed 34-10 at home to Trinity to mark their best start to a league season in the club’s 143-year history.
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“It’s probably the most nervous I’ve been in years,” Martin told BBC Radio Humberside.
“For one, I wanted to make sure I got through the game physically good, and then how I’d handle the contacts and the repeat efforts.
“It’s easy to come here because your team-mates are doing such a good job in their own positions that you only have to worry about yourself.
“They were very supportive around me doing my job and making sure I was in the right positions with lots of communication.”
Martin’s injury, suffered in Round 3 of the Super League regular season, saw the Papua New Guinea international miss out on most of Hull KR’s impressive start to the 2025 campaign and their first Betfred Challenge Cup triumph for 45 years.
The 32-year-old has been impressed by what he has seen watching from the sidelines though, and was pleased to be able to play some part as Willie Peters’s side made it 15 wins from 16 in the league so far to better the record set by Colin Hutton’s team during the 1966/67 season.
“It was special,” Martin said. “The guys have been doing all the work from week one.
“Everyone has been buying into what we’re trying to create here. It’s all about accountability and working hard for your team-mates, and we don’t want to let off.
“We want to get better every week and to do that we need to challenge ourselves and keep putting that motivation into the group.
“I’ve played a very small part in that, but the guys have been unbelievable.”
Martin’s return comes just in time for him to face former club Leeds Rhinos, who he left after five years to join Hull KR on a two-year contract.
The 32-year-old is relishing the visit of the third-placed Rhinos to Sewell Group Craven Park on Sunday, although knows he cannot be distracted by anything which takes his focus away from the job in hand.
“It’s exciting for me, personally,” Martin said.
“I knew it was coming, but I needed to get through [the Wakefield game] and know I can actually play rugby league again.
“The job doesn’t change, we’ve got one focus and that’s to win.
“All I need to do is my role and my part for this team, and hopefully we walk away with two points.”