Issac Luke Signs Deal with New Zealand Warriors

South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke will return home to New Zealand in 2016, having been granted a release from his existing contract to sign a three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors, as reported by Richard Becht on the Warriors' official website.

Luke, who has represented the Kiwis in 33 Tests, was quoted in Becht's article as saying that going home to play for the Warriors was something he had always wanted to do:

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I’ve been away from home for a long time now and I really miss it. I’ve loved playing for the Rabbitohs. They’ve done so much for me, but I wanted to go back to New Zealand at some stage and I’m grateful they’ve allowed me to go. Going home to play for the Warriors has always been something I wanted to do. I know so many of the boys there and I also like what’s happening at the club since Jim has taken over.

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The move is a significant one for the New Zealand-based franchise. It marks the second big-name Kiwi they have lured home in recent times, having secured the signature of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck earlier in the year.

Between those two men you have a pair of game-breakers and explosive ball-carriers who will excel with the fast-paced approach the Warriors take to the game.

Luke will fill the position currently occupied by the aging Nathan Friend and utility Thomas Leuluai. His speed off the mark from dummy-half will be important and will add a dimension the Warriors do not have in their current hookers.

There is arguably no hooker better in this department than Luke, and he rates up there alongside the best in the world, having outplayed opposite number Cameron Smith in last week's ANZAC Test. 

Luke has played 176 matches for the Rabbitohs, having been at the club since 2007.