Rugby: McCaw's captain to OBs' coach – Martin makes good

Otago Boys' High School First XV coach Ryan Martin. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Otago Boys' High School First XV coach Ryan Martin. Photo by Gregor Richardson.
Otago Boys' High School First XV coach Ryan Martin has overseen plenty of victories in his term at the school. But the big prize still awaits. Sports reporter Adrian Seconi catches up with the former halfback to see what makes him tick.

Otago Boys' High School coach Ryan Martin is a lot of things.

He is intense, articulate, considered, industrious and ambitious, and likes to joke he taught Richie McCaw ''everything he knows''.

But above all, he is passionate and he has put together an impressive coaching record since he was appointed head coach in 2011.

The 35 year old has helped guide the team to the semifinals of the national First XV championship.

It is the third time in the past five years OBHS has made it through to the top four, and it will play Scots College in Rotorua on Friday. Scots shared the title with Hamilton Boys' High School last year and shapes as a difficult opponent.

 

But OBHS will go into the contest with confidence, having beaten Southland Boys' High School 32 20 in the regional final two weeks ago and St Bede's College 42 10 in the South Island final at Littlebourne on Saturday.

''Previously, we have probably gone up there just happy to be involved in the top four,'' Martin said.

''But this year we are going up thinking there is a good opportunity for us. If we can put a good performance together, then we can be pretty confident. That is a big mental shift for us.''

A former halfback, Ryan wore the jersey when he attended the school in the 1990s. He captained the OBHS team that shared the national title with Rotorua Boys' High School in 1998.

That team included one Richard Hugh McCaw, who has turned out to be a rather useful player for the All Blacks.

''Yeah, I was Richie's captain and taught him everything he knows,'' he laughed.

Martin is a qualified teacher and began working at Otago Boys' in 2010. He teaches maths and physical education and then he spends about another 30 hours each week preparing the First XV.

It is an enormous commitment but he enjoys every moment and hopes he can turn his passion into a career.

He has a New Zealand Rugby Union level three coaching certificate, which means he can coach at international level. His next step on the coaching ladder will probably involve heading overseas.

''I think if you look at someone like [Otago coach] Cory Brown, he had to go overseas to then come back and get a foot in the door here.

''Getting a coaching job in New Zealand is extremely tough and I think I have to be realistic and look at all options.

''The way I look at it, I was not a professional player, which means I have to work harder as a coach to get to the professional level as a coach.

''I think I can sell myself on my work ethic. My name has not got me to where I am. Whatever I'm going to do will be through performance and results.''

The Black Caps' Mike Hesson's rise through the ranks, despite not having played at the top level, is a source of inspiration for Martin.

''His story is amazing and he has definitely opened some doors for people who were not involved in the professional game to come through and be successful.

''He is probably one of the guys I look at and think 'that is who you should model yourself off'.''

Like Hesson, Martin is a meticulous planner and a level headed bloke. He is certainly not prone to angry outbursts on the sideline.

''If you are calm and collected and come on with some clear messages, then they respect that more,'' he reasoned.

For Martin, who played five seasons with Alhambra Union and another five with Pirates, rugby is a bit like a game of chess. He enjoys analysing the game and trying to figure out where his side might be able to gain an advantage.

Martin is not married but has been with his partner, Courtney Dunn, for eight years. His daughter, Courtney Martin, is 16 and his stepson, Tom Dunn, is 9.

The game will be broadcast on Sky's rugby channel from 1pm on Friday.

 

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