![BACK: Wanderers back-rower Daniel Martine returns from an ankle injury against Hamilton at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday. Picture: Stewart Hazell BACK: Wanderers back-rower Daniel Martine returns from an ankle injury against Hamilton at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday. Picture: Stewart Hazell](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/AVQVfAtGgzehhK8J9F6uCU/8dac5b07-6626-4c26-8055-8a0f485116de.jpg/r0_0_4786_3263_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
WANDERERS coach Dan Beckett is adamant Hunter Rugby Union has only seen a glimpse of what Daniel Martine can produce.
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Martine returns from an ankle issue for the Two Blues against Hamilton at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
The tackle-busting back-rower is back at Wanderers this season after four years. He was a part of the Aussie sevens program, played for Manly in the Shute Shield and won the 2018 Newcastle Rugby League premiership with South Newcastle.
After a five-star performance in the second-round loss to Merewether, Martine injured his ankle against Singleton.
"He showed glimpses in the first game against Merewether of what a special talent he is and what a physical player he is," Beckett said. "We are still finding a balance with him in the team and he is still getting to know how good he can be. He has been in different codes, he has played in the Shute Shield, he has been a sevens player. He won a comp with Souths rugby league ... he has had some pretty serious ankle injuries and took a year off to get them right. He looks at home in a Wanderers jersey. I know we haven't seen his best in the Hunter."
Martine's return counters the loss of promising hooker Jacob Alchin to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The Two Blues and Hawks have met in four of the past five grand finals, including 2019. But while the rivalry remains fierce, both clubs will field vastly different outfits.
And in Hamilton's case, a new coach in Marty Berry.
"We have a completely different team," the former All Black said. "What has happened in the past - it is good to draw on that but we can't rely on it."
The Hawks, who are without half of the 2019 premiership side, are coming off consecutive losses to Merewether (21-19) and Southern Beaches (23-21).
"They don't need much motivation," Berry said. "No-one likes losing. I'm pretty confident with what they will do."
In other games Saturday, Maitland are without Nick Davidson (hamstring) for the visit by unbeaten leaders Merewether.
Will Samuels (prop), Adrian Delore (winger) and Jacob Tatupu (bench) return for Southern Beaches against Singleton at Ernie Calland Field. University will be chasing their first win against cellar dwellers Lake Macquarie at Bernie Curran Oval.
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