The 23-year-old was handed his playing shirt by legendary former player and coach Ric Charlesworth before the victory in the series opener.

He was named in Australia's initial 27-player squad for Tokyo in December, which will be eventually be cut to the final 16.

The world no.2 Kookaburras needed two late goals to overcome their Trans Tasman rivals in their first official hitout in nearly 450 days.

Tim Brand opened the scoring for Australia in the third quarter, but the Black Sticks equalised with seven minutes left through Sean Findlay.

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But late strikes to Trent Mitton and Tom Wickham ensured Australia took the series lead.

Martin was the only change to Australia's expanded Olympic squad after the Olympics was postponed for a year due to COVID.

Martin told The Daily Advertiser when named in the squad in December he's keen to make the most of his unexpected chance in the green and gold.

"It is something I've been hopeful of for a while but I guess this happening was a little bit sooner than I thought, so I am super stoked with it all," he said.

"The year of COVID helped me heaps. At the start of this year I wasn't ready for any of this and it's given me a year to work on my game.

"I was able to get away from it but came back and obviously put a good performance in.

"I've came away a bit better and stronger."

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