Perennial Super Rugby strugglers the Melbourne Rebels don’t have too look far to find sporting inspiration and success.
“It’s funny because back when I was here in 2019, one of my favourite parts of the day was watching the Melbourne Storm train on the field we share with them,” Rebels attack coach Ryan Martin said.
The Kiwi and former school teacher has previously worked with the Rebels in a part-time capacity but has just completed his first preseason as a fulltime employee.
Super Rugby Pacific kicks off this weekend with Waratahs vs Drua, Chiefs vs Highlanders, Crusaders vs Hurricanes, Reds vs Rebels and Brumbies vs Force – all streaming ad-free, live and on demand only on Stan Sport
Martin has also coached in New Zealand’s domestic competition and Major League Rugby in the United States.
He didn’t play professional rugby but his sharp tactical mind was attractive to new Rebels head coach Kevin Foote.
Former England lock Geoff Parling rounds out the coaching team as the Rebels try to finally crack the Super Rugby playoffs, starting against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
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The Storm link is clearly just one piece of a complex coaching puzzle for Martin, but a very valuable one.
“I actually stole a lot of concepts from their attack and took it back to Otago in the NPC and used some of their principles successfully in winning the Ranfurly Shield twice using concepts they used around their running lines and passing,” Martin said.
“I then developed that and took it with me to the New England Free Jacks and it helped me shape my philosophy and thinking, especially around line speed.
“Being able to practice and use those two teams (Otago and New England), I believe I’ve come to an end product I can implement into the Rebels.
“The game is so defence focused, so the attack has to be innovative and you have to deal with line speed and inside to outside defenders so some of those concepts I’m applying now.”
Martin believes there are more tangible similarities between the two codes than some might believe.
“The big thing for me is what they (Storm) do between tackle three to five and how they train and the amount of reps they put into running lines and attacking space.
“I had an epiphany that once the ball is actually rolled between the legs of the attacker – I was watching the defence and it’s very similar position to where it is at a ruck position.
“They’re basically the same position and the way the defence acted coming from out to in, staying connected and trying to get to their back doors.”
Martin speaks to Storm assistant and fellow Kiwi Stephen Kearney regularly as well as the NRL club’s strength and conditioning team.
“They come over and explain what and why they are doing certain drills.
“I’m hoping they see how keen I am and I can get into some team meetings and formalise that relationship a bit more.”
REDS vs REBELS, Saturday 7.45pm AEDT in Brisbane
REDS (15-1): Jock Campbell, Jordan Petaia, Josh Flook, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Dagunu, James O’Connor, Tate McDermott (co-c), Harry Wilson, Liam Wright (co-c), Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Dane Zander
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Zane Nonggorr, Ryan Smith, Fraser McReight, Spencer Jeans, Hunter Paisami, Lawson Creighton
REBELS (15-1): Reece Hodge, Lachie Anderson, Stacey Ili, Matt To’omua, Glen Vaihu, Carter Gordon, Joe Powell, Michael Wells (c), Brad Wilkin, Sam Wallis, Ross Haylett-Petty, Matt Philip, Cabous Eloff, Jordan Uelese, Cameron Orr
Reserves: Matt Gibbon, James Hanson, Sef Fa’agase, Thomas Nowlan, Tamati Ioane, James Tuttle, Raymond Nu’u , Young Tonumaipea
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