City hooker Sam Martin is pumped: City versus Country, cousin versus cousin

The Queensland Under 17 City versus Country clash on Saturday has an extra bit of significance for City’s Sam Martin. 

The Souths Logan Magpies Cyril Connell Cup hooker’s cousin Finn Kendell will be lining up for the Country side, so it’s City versus Country, cousin versus cousin.  

“Rugby league for both of us started in Ipswich,” Martin said. 

“I started when I was about six years old, playing for Norths Tigers and I played my whole life there up until I was 14 when I moved over to the Brisbane comp and started playing at Souths Logan.  

“Started because dad played, brother played, whole family was involved in sport... and it’s kicked on from there... all of my cousins, everyone played the game.” 

Sam, whose Magpies side went down to Redcliffe Dolphins in their Cyril Connell Cup semi-final, said the competitiveness of the game kept him working hard. 

“Everyone wants to win and there's always going be a better team... one team has to win,” Sam said. 

“We got knocked out in the first round of finals, got beaten by Redcliffe... it was a good game, tight game, but it was very wet, bit of rain, but it was very good. Very good experience with the introduction of finals.” 

The 17-year-old, who has always looked up to Johnathan Thurston and more recently Queensland Maroons hooker Harry Grant, said playing hooker for City, he aimed to bring aggression and competitiveness against Country. 

“I don’t really like losing,” Sam said. 

“I like competing on everything. If there’s a ball on the ground, I’ll try and get their first; I just try to get the better of my opposition.” 

The Ipswich State High School student said he loved the way Grant played. 

“The way he plays is just unbelievable,” Sam said. 

“The way he can do stuff... it would mean a lot to be able to do that one day... to represent my state in a game that I love playing with all of my mates, that’d mean a lot.” 

Sam said he was "so excited" for Saturday’s game, which is considered the first step on the pathway to the Queensland Under 19 side and Maroons. 

"Very, very grateful for the opportunity. Keen to play with all of my mates and against my cousin Finn," Sam said.

“I assume he’ll be playing in the centres... we’ve grown up together... we’re only a couple of months apart so we’ve always played footy together. This is the first time we’ll be going up against each other. He’s from mum’s side... we’re all really close, so it’ll be really good. 

“Past couple of years, Country has come out on top, but our coach is saying it’s not about individual players, it’s all about the team and whoever can connect the best will come out on top.” 

Country’s Finn, 16, who plays for Ipswich Jets in the Cyril Connell Cup, said he was “pretty excited” for the family rivalry given they grew up playing backyard footy with each other. 

“Hopefully I get one up on him, see how we go,” the Ipswich Grammar student said. 

“I believe Country can win.” 

City coach Rob Tanielu said the goal for the squad this week was to come together as a group to give themselves the best chance on Saturday. 

“It’s all about connection, learning, coming together as a group, getting to know each other and getting that real understanding of each other, players and staff,” Tanielu said. 

“The faster we connect off field, the more we will benefit on field come Saturday.” 
Tanielu said the rivalry was strong between the City and Country squads.  

“(Country coach Duane Carpenter) will say his side is strongest across the park, but I think all of the kids here on both sides are here for a reason... they’ve got some talents, so I think it’s a matter of who can come together the quickest will get the best result on Saturday. 

“Myself and Shane Boyd, our assistant coach, will be getting across to all of the players and building that rapport with the players to get that trust and confidence, to ensure that they came come to us with any questions or issues, because I know that can be a bit of a challenge for most of the kids.  

“As coaches and staff we have to take lead on that and make sure that we're putting ourselves out there to give the best engagement out of the kids. 

"Go City.”