Filo Tiatia has spoken of his enjoyment working with back row Mackenzie Martin – and he believes the Wales international can continue to develop and grow his game.
Martin has joined the Men of Gwent on a season long loan deal from Cardiff Rugby and has made three appearances for the club.
The Ely-born back row impressed in the Leinster clash last week – making 15 tackles, 13 carries for 49 metres and beating seven defenders.
And Head Coach Tiatia is convinced the best is yet to come from Martin as he works with more senior figures around him on his overall game.
“Macca is growing,” said Tiatia. “I was really pleased with his performance (against Leinster).
“There are areas that he needs to keep tidying up, but he is working hard on that, staying in moments under fatigue.
“He is a big man, he has just turned 22, and he has got to get his body height right in different collisions and how he can impose himself.
“He has been awesome to work with. He is still learning his craft, even though he has played for Wales at a young age, and he is keen to grow.
“He has got the likes of Thomas Young, Harrison Keddie and Shane Lewis-Hughes around him, good loose forwards who have been around for a while to learn from,” he added.
“Consistency is around building moments, so conditioning is important.
“If he can have high capacity, in terms of whacking guys, consistently through 80 minutes then he can build. That’s what the Welsh coaches are looking for.”
He has been awesome to work with. He is still learning his craft, even though he has played for Wales at a young age, and he is keen to grow...
