Issac Luke.PNG

Player Issac Luke

Full Name
Issac Luke
Date of Birth
May 29, 1987
Birth Location
Hawera, New Zealand
Nationality
  1. 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Height (cm)
175 cm
Weight (kg)
93 kg
Position/s
  1. Hooker
Nickname
Bully
Warrior #
206
NRL Debut Date
Jun 2, 2007
NRL Debut Details
2007, Round 12, South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm
Warriors Debut Date
Mar 5, 2016
Warriors Debut Details
2016, Round 1, Wests Tigers
Warriors Years Active
  1. 2016
  2. 2017
  3. 2018
  4. 2019
Signed To
St George Illawarra Dragons
Signed From
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Junior Club/s
Hawera Hawks
Previous Club/s
South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors, St George Illawarra Dragons, Brisbane Broncos
Rep Honours
  1. NZ
  2. NZ Maori
  3. World/NRL All Stars
  4. Junior Kiwi
Status
Retired
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issac_Luke
Rugby League Project
https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/issac-luke/summary.html

Issac Luke (born 29 May 1987) is a former New Zealand professional rugby league footballer

He previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, New Zealand Warriors, St. George Illawarra Dragons, and the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League. Issac Luke was a part of the South Sydney squad that won the 2014 NRL Premiership, however despite being named as starting hooker, was ruled out for the final due to suspension. Luke is a member of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team that beat Australia in the 2008 Final.

Luke was born in Hāwera, New Zealand, on 29 May 1987.

Luke's wife Mickayela is a cousin of fellow Kiwi rugby league international Sonny Bill Williams, with whom he also played in the juniors at the Bulldogs. Luke is a cousin of England international Rangi Chase. He is of Irish and Māori descent.

Luke's father, George Luke, died in 2023 after the car in which he was travelling between Rotorua and Hastings via the Kaweka Range was hit by a slip during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Prior to making his professional debut, Luke played Jersey Flegg Cup for Canterbury-Bankstown alongside fellow New Zealander and future Kiwis teammate Sonny Bill Williams. Luke made his NRL debut for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in round 12 of the 2007 NRL season against the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park Stadium, coming off the bench. Luke had his first NRL start in round 19 Against the North Queensland Cowboys, playing at hooker. He scored his first NRL try and was awarded the Brut Man of the Match award for his efforts. Luke tasted finals football in his debut year, coming off the bench in South Sydney's 30 – 6 loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He was awarded the John Sattler Rookie of the Year at the South Sydney annual Red and Green Ball and presentation night held at the AJC function centre at Randwick Racecourse Sydney. He also was second only to Israel Folau in the Dally M Rookie of the Year award. His year was capped off by being named in the Train on Squad for the New Zealand national rugby league team.

Luke started the 2008 season well but a broken bone in his hand in the round 3 loss to the Penrith Panthers sidelined him for 4 weeks. He came back in round 7 against the Brisbane Broncos and added some much needed spark to the team but they came up short going down 32 – 18. His return from injury came just in time for him to make his test debut for the Kiwis for the ANZAC day test at the SCG. He started the game at hooker and had a solid debut. Luke was named at halfback for the round 8 clash against the North Queensland Cowboys to accommodate both himself and fellow hooker George Ndaira in the starting side. During round 13 against The Warriors, Luke was instrumental for Souths, including setting up a great try to put Souths ahead at half time, and was named Man of the Match. In round 14 against the Gold Coast Luke scored his first career double and slotted the match winning penalty for a 24–23 victory.

In August 2008, Luke was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and in October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad.

Luke was considered one of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament's 'Players to Watch' by the NRL Live blog. He was then a crucial part of the Kiwi side that lifted the World Cup in 2008, beating Australia 34 – 20 before over 50,000 spectators at Brisbane's Lang Park. Also in 2008, he was named in the Taranaki Rugby League Team of the Century.

Luke made 68 NRL appearances for Souths in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons. In none of those seasons did Souths qualify for the finals series. He represented New Zealand in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Four Nations tournaments, playing off the substitutes bench for the Kiwis' win of the 2010 edition. For the 2010 Anzac Test, Luke was selected to play for New Zealand at hooker in their loss against Australia. Luke's 2011 Four Nations tournament ended in controversy after he was criticised for a series of cynical tackles on opposing players. Luke admitted that in a match against England, he had attempted to break the leg of Rangi Chase, England's New Zealand-born half-back.

For the 2013 Anzac Test, Luke was selected to play for New Zealand at hooker in their loss again Australia.

In the 2014 NRL season, Luke made 18 appearances as Souths reached their first grand final in 43 years. Luke missed out on playing in the club's first premiership victory in 43 years as he was suspended from playing in the grand final after being found guilty of using a dangerous tackle on Sydney Roosters player Sonny Bill Williams in the preliminary final.

Luke was initially not allowed by the NRL to appear in the club's team photo for the grand final nor take to the field for the lap of honour but they reversed the decision for Luke on this occasion. Following the grand final victory, Souths head coach Michael Maguire handed his premiership ring to Luke.

In May 2015, Luke signed with the New Zealand Warriors for three seasons, beginning in 2016. He co-captained the New Zealand national rugby league team on their 2015 tour of Great Britain.

On 19 November 2019, it was announced that Luke had signed a one-year deal to join St. George Illawarra for the 2020 NRL season. Luke posted a message on his Twitter account saying "St George Dragons On way".

On 13 June 2020 Luke departed St. George for the Brisbane Broncos. Luke had played just three games with the club, failing to register a win with the team. There were suggestions that Luke left due to being frustrated with game time but Luke later spoke to the media saying "With support from the club and their understanding they were happy to release me to take an opportunity in Brisbane where my family and I were going to live after footy finished. This has nothing to do with what has been going on here and I advise youse all to wake yourselves up. "I’m doing this for my family.

Luke played 12 games for Brisbane in the 2020 NRL season after his mid-season switch from St. George as the Broncos finished with the wooden spoon for the first time in Brisbane's history.

Luke announced his retirement from the game on 22 September 2021.

Highlights
Junior Club: Hawera Hawks
Played for the Junior Kiwis
First Grade Debut: Round 12, South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park Stadium, 2 June 2007
First NRL Try: Round 19, South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys at Telstra Stadium, 22 July 2007
John Sattler Rookie of the Year award 2007
International Test Debut: New Zealand Kiwis v Australian Kangaroos, 9 May 2008 at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Played in New Zealand side that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
Won the 2008 NZRL international rookie of the year award
George Piggins Medal (Souths' Best and Fairest Award) 2010
Played in New Zealand side that won the 2010 Rugby League Four Nations


 
Last edited:
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Issac Luke in line for shock All Stars call up

AuthorCorey RosserNRL ReporterTimestampFri 26 Jan 2024, 08:38 AM

Issac Luke is on the verge of making a shock comeback with the Māori side in next month's Harvey Norman NRL All Stars, which would see him take the field on the one-year anniversary of his father's passing.
Despite not playing in the NRL since 2020, the 36-year-old hooker has just completed a full pre-season with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan, after he returned with them for the back end of last season and appeared in three games.

Luke had just arrived home from his week as an assistant coach with the Māori All Stars last February when he found out his dad, George, had passed away following a slip that occurred during Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand.
In the months which followed, Luke decided to give top-level football another go as a way to honour George and in recent times he's been in regular contact with new Māori coach Adam Blair about a comeback for the event in Townsville on February 16.
"If I was to get the chance, I'd be playing for my dad. The game falls on the day he died last year," Luke told NRL.com.
It's come around so fast, but I remember the day he went missing like it was still just yesterday and from an emotional point of view it has hit me hard.
Issac Luke
"I am the second oldest of his children and I spoke to my dad every week, so not being able to have that, it's tough.
"If I do get the green light [to play] I don't know how I will handle the occasion... but I am blessed even to be considered.
"[Physically] I'll be good, I have got through the pre-season with the Magpies (Souths Logan) and have passed everything I needed to."
https://www.nrl.com/draw/all-stars/2024/round-1/indigenous-v-maori/
Luke descends from the Ngāruahine iwi in southern Taranaki and previously represented the Māori in 2020 and 2021, at the back end of his 286-game NRL career.
Having played numerous Tests alongside him for the Kiwis, before later linking up with him at the Warriors and with the Māori All Stars, Blair knows better than most what Luke can do for a team.
“'Bully' [Luke] brings players together; he carries a lot of mana from his experience and what he has done in the game," Blair told NRL.com.

"He’s someone that wears his heart on his sleeve and understands how much it means to be Māori and what this represents.
“To have someone like him around the camp, whether that be as a player or staff, is invaluable to the group.
Issac Luke (left) and Adam Blair greet each other with a hongi during the 2020 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars.

“He will never let you down, but he will know if he is ready or not.”
After watching Luke progress throughout the pre-season, Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt believes the former Kiwi international still has what it takes to play at an elite level, despite his 37th birthday coming up this May.
"No doubt, if he was given an opportunity, he would be able to still do a job at that level," Hunt told NRL.com.
"You don't lose your footy nous and ability to think your way through a contest and Bully still picks our defence apart at training; he is as crafty as can be with the ball.
"He's in really good condition.... he's had a full pre-season and is looking really good."

 
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Issac Luke in line for shock All Stars call up

AuthorCorey RosserNRL ReporterTimestampFri 26 Jan 2024, 08:38 AM

Issac Luke is on the verge of making a shock comeback with the Māori side in next month's Harvey Norman NRL All Stars, which would see him take the field on the one-year anniversary of his father's passing.
Despite not playing in the NRL since 2020, the 36-year-old hooker has just completed a full pre-season with Queensland Cup side Souths Logan, after he returned with them for the back end of last season and appeared in three games.

Luke had just arrived home from his week as an assistant coach with the Māori All Stars last February when he found out his dad, George, had passed away following a slip that occurred during Cyclone Gabrielle in New Zealand.
In the months which followed, Luke decided to give top-level football another go as a way to honour George and in recent times he's been in regular contact with new Māori coach Adam Blair about a comeback for the event in Townsville on February 16.
"If I was to get the chance, I'd be playing for my dad. The game falls on the day he died last year," Luke told NRL.com.

"I am the second oldest of his children and I spoke to my dad every week, so not being able to have that, it's tough.
"If I do get the green light [to play] I don't know how I will handle the occasion... but I am blessed even to be considered.
"[Physically] I'll be good, I have got through the pre-season with the Magpies (Souths Logan) and have passed everything I needed to."
https://www.nrl.com/draw/all-stars/2024/round-1/indigenous-v-maori/
Luke descends from the Ngāruahine iwi in southern Taranaki and previously represented the Māori in 2020 and 2021, at the back end of his 286-game NRL career.
Having played numerous Tests alongside him for the Kiwis, before later linking up with him at the Warriors and with the Māori All Stars, Blair knows better than most what Luke can do for a team.
“'Bully' [Luke] brings players together; he carries a lot of mana from his experience and what he has done in the game," Blair told NRL.com.

"He’s someone that wears his heart on his sleeve and understands how much it means to be Māori and what this represents.
“To have someone like him around the camp, whether that be as a player or staff, is invaluable to the group.
Issac Luke (left) and Adam Blair greet each other with a hongi during the 2020 Harvey Norman NRL All Stars.

“He will never let you down, but he will know if he is ready or not.”
After watching Luke progress throughout the pre-season, Souths Logan coach Karmichael Hunt believes the former Kiwi international still has what it takes to play at an elite level, despite his 37th birthday coming up this May.
"No doubt, if he was given an opportunity, he would be able to still do a job at that level," Hunt told NRL.com.
"You don't lose your footy nous and ability to think your way through a contest and Bully still picks our defence apart at training; he is as crafty as can be with the ball.
"He's in really good condition.... he's had a full pre-season and is looking really good."

Can't think of anything worse! This should be given to an up and coming player, I get the sentiment.
 
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The absolute disrespect with Zerotackle's opening statement about this.

Retired NRL journeyman Issac Luke has revealed he's making a push to feature for the Māori All Stars side in next month's showcase clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville

Journeyman?! I would have him down as 2nd best hooker in his era after Cam Smith (with one or 2 years he was on par with Smith imo) and won a world cup, premiership and played over 300 games...
 
The absolute disrespect with Zerotackle's opening statement about this.

Retired NRL journeyman Issac Luke has revealed he's making a push to feature for the Māori All Stars side in next month's showcase clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville

Journeyman?! I would have him down as 2nd best hooker in his era after Cam Smith (with one or 2 years he was on par with Smith imo) and won a world cup, premiership and played over 300 games...
And typically every no name that’s played more than 10 games is referred to as a star in new and media.
 
The absolute disrespect with Zerotackle's opening statement about this.

Retired NRL journeyman Issac Luke has revealed he's making a push to feature for the Māori All Stars side in next month's showcase clash with the Indigenous All Stars in Townsville

Journeyman?! I would have him down as 2nd best hooker in his era after Cam Smith (with one or 2 years he was on par with Smith imo) and won a world cup, premiership and played over 300 games...

ya gotta laugh eh. One of the Warriors biggest ever signings (deservedly before the ink dried).
 
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