Martin has family link to shield

Ryan Martin
Ryan Martin
Otago assistant coach Ryan Martin did not have to look far to get excited about winning the Ranfurly Shield — just a picture on the wall of the team room in Dunedin.

Martin, who is dipping his toe into the professional side of the sport, after having successfully coached the Otago Boys’ High School first XV for many years, has tasted almost instant success with the win over Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.

Martin’s family has experience of winning the shield and bringing it home to Dunedin.

"Funnily enough I always had a bit of an inkling around the shield. My grandfather held the shield in 1935 and there is a picture of him with the shield and his team in our team room," Martin said.

Herbert Martin played first five-eighth for Otago in the 1930s with Charlie Saxton inside him at halfback.

"It is quite a funny wee circle. Every time we were in the team room this week I’d have a wee look at the shield and him."

Martin said it was an awesome performance from the side on Saturday.

"You could sum that match up with an outstanding effort on attack in the first half and an outstanding effort on defence in the second half.

"We knew it was coming. They were turning round with the wind. But our maul defence was outstanding.

"And just really proud of the way the guys defended and the game management in the last 15 minutes was really good."

Martin said his move into the Otago coaching scene had been a great experience for him.

"I’m just living the dream to be honest, day in, day out. It is the best thing I have ever done. Just the coaching group I’m working with is great."

Martin’s colleagues, Tom Donnelly and Lee Allan, joined a rare club on Saturday, having played in winning shield challenges for Otago, and also been part of a successful coaching team.

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