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Granty
24-09-2009, 10:37 AM
http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/922

Martin under fire

Source:
BURI GABI

PNG Prime Minister’s XIII debutant second rower Tyson Martin will undergo his baptism of fire on Sunday, when he runs out in the PNG colors against the Australian PM’s XIII.

The 19-year-old product of North Queensland Cowboys’ Under-20 division had been under the watchful eyes of Kumuls coach Adrian Lam over the last couple of years.

Lam had decided that Martin was ready to be taken aboard for PNG representative duties as part of the nation’s development programme Down Under.

Gold Coast Titans winger David Mead is part of this progamme.

Lam told The National yesterday that Martin will learn a lot from his local colleagues back in PNG, which should boost his performance in Australia.

He said devastating forward George Moni will be leading his PNG colleagues Kevin Frank, Anton Kui and speedy winger Elizah Riyong in the match against the Aussies.

Meanwhile, rampaging Kumuls second rower Simon Young has declared war against the star-studded Kangaroos.

“Ol tu ol man tasol ol wankain olsem yumi na nogat wanpela samting bai stopim mipela long winim ol,” he said in Tok Pisin.

“They are mere human like us and we are capable of beating them,” he said.

He said the boys were all fired up and looking forward to Sunday’s clash.

He said the heat has always been on PNG’s side and the same could apply on Sunday.

PNG’s co-captains Rodney Griffin and Rodney Pora agreed that they were all set for the game and were proud to play for their country against the Australians.

PNG league commentators are of the opinion that the match would lack the intensity of a Test match and is in reality a promotional match celebrating PNG’s 34th Independence anniversary and anti HIV-AIDS campaign.

Granty
26-09-2009, 08:06 AM
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/09/26/81901_cowboys.html

Young Cowboy called up for Kumuls

JOSH ALSTON
September 26th, 2009

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/09/25/Tyson-Martin.jpg
DEBUT . . . Tyson Martin will play for Papua New Guinea
against the Australian PM's XIII tomorrow

COWBOYS under-20s utility Tyson Martin will pull on his first international jersey tomorrow after earning a stunning call-up to the Papua New Guinea side to take on the Australian Prime Minister's XIII.

The versatile forward, whose father is from PNG, was given a bench spot by coach Adrian Lam after a strong season in the Toyota Cup where he filled a variety of roles.

Under-20s coach Kristian Woolf said Martin had been an invaluable cog in the Cowboys outfit that came within a whisker of a maiden finals appearance this year.

''I think it's a bit of a reward for his late season form, he started the season very well then he got a head knock followed by a knee injury, followed by a three-week suspension midway through the season,'' Woolf said.

''It knocked his confidence around a little bit but then he came back in the last six or seven games and played really well for us.''

It will also aid the 19-year-old's bid for a Queensland Cup contract, with both the Northern Pride and Mackay Cutters interested in his services.

''He's certainly a bloke that's going to stay in the system and that we're keen to keep in the system,'' Woolf said.

''He came out of Proserpine local footy to play 20s only two years ago and he's improved immensely.

''He might be a guy that continues to improve and blossoms as he gets older and hopefully he comes back to the club.''

Woolf also believes Martin's toughness will be an asset for the Kumuls and expected him to acquit himself well against the likes of Cowboys first-graders Luke O'Donnell and Matt Scott.

''He's a good tough player, we had to play him a little bit in the front row at times this year, which isn't his position, through lack of numbers with injuries,'' he said.

''He did a very good job for us. He was tough enough to play up front so I think he will be well suited to the way PNG play and he will certainly add a lot to them.''