Rugby: Napier Technical player Elijah Martin delivers for family

Napier Technical lock Elijah Martin speaks to two of his Karamu High School senior mixed ki o rahi team players at their nationals in Gisborne this week. Photo / Supplied

Ardent followers of Hawke's Bay club rugby will have noticed Napier Technical lock-loosie Elijah Martin is having his best season at premier level.

The man himself agrees too.

"It's the best I've played because I've matured into a leadership role. It takes a couple of years to find your feet at this level ... particularly in the forwards," the Karamu High School technology teacher explains.

There's another reason why Martin has been so consistent during the first four rounds of the Tui Nash Cup for Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical.

"With Izy [his brother] not playing because of all his concussions I have to make it worthwhile for mum and dad [Ngawini and Ross] who drive for two hours every Saturday from Moawhango near Taihape to watch me play. They haven't missed a Saturday since I was Year 9 at Napier Boys' High School."

However Martin, 24, had an extra incentive to produce a player-of-the-match display in last weekend's 26-5 win against Taradale Rugby and Sports at the Tareha Recreational Reserve and become the fourth weekly winner in the tussle for the McDonalds-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

He was playing against a club he spent four seasons playing for before transferring to the Texans so his parents didn't have to go to separate games when arriving in the Bay to support their sons.

"It was an awesome effort by our boys. Any win against Taradale is a big feat. Having played for them I know they are a pretty strong club who are always up for a battle," Martin says.

A former Hawke's Bay under-18, 16, 14 and 13 rep, Martin, played for the Hawke's Bay Saracens in 2015. In 2011 he was a 1st XV player and deputy head boy at NBHS.

Suggest to Martin he is probably the fittest he has been since stepping up to premier play and he nods his head.

"There is always room for improvement with my fitness because I place such a huge emphasis on my teaching commitments."

While technology is his main focus as a teacher Martin, a former national age-group volleyball rep, enjoys helping students with their sporting pursuits. This week he was in Gisborne as the bus driver and video analyst for the school's senior mixed ki o rahi team who finished ninth in their 25-team division at the nationals.

"Making the Magpies is always a goal but I'm not too worried if I don't. My teaching career is the priority and I will always enjoy the friendships you make in club footy and enhancing the values of our club," Martin says.

The Texans were beaten semifinalists in the Maddison Trophy comp last year and Martin is tipping the Whitmore Park-based outfit to reach the Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy finals this season. He believes the team boasts a better attitude this year.

"Players like JJ [Taulagi] and Sebastian [Visibia] have brought new energy levels and there is a good feeling. Asa [new head coach and former Tech player Ene] has brought a new fresh look and relates well to the boys. I've got huge respect for him and he and forward coach David Briggs are working well together."

Napier Technical will host winless Northfuels Central on Saturday. Central boast Magpies locks Ben and Tom Parsons who Martin played against regularly during his school days.

"We won't be taking them lightly ... those Central lads are due a win."

Best & fairest
Napier Technical v Taradale: 3, Elijah Martin (Tech); 2, JJ Taulagi (Tech); 1, Andrew Gardner (Taradale).
Havelock North v Tamatea: 3, Te Kakau Ririnui (Havelock North); 2, Mason Kean (Tamatea); 1, Lincoln McClutchie (Tamatea).
NOBM v Clive: 3, Hannon Brighouse (NOBM); 2, Shae Tucker (NOBM); 1, Mitch Drew (NOBM).
Pirate v Central: 3, Monty Tuala (Pirate); 2, Tomo Fogarty (Central); 1, Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirate).
Hastings v MAC: 3, Aleki Vuki (Hastings); 2, Frank Tupuola (MAC); 1, Fale Matamata (Hastings).
Leaderboard: 6 points: Hannon Brighouse (NOBM), Aleki Vuki (Hastings), Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC). 4: William McGoon (Havelock North), Johnny Ika (MAC), Everard Reid, Lincoln McClutchie (both Tamatea).