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- EXCLUSIVE by Dean Ritchie
- The Daily Telegraph
- December 01, 2011 12:00AM
Source: The Daily Telegraph
SOUTH Sydney hooker Issac Luke has held an urgent meeting about his contentious and dangerous tackling style with new Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire told The Daily Telegraph yesterday that Luke "knocked on his door" to discuss eliminating the "cannonball tackle" and "leg twist" which marred the Kiwi hooker's recent Four Nations tournament.
Issac Luke was told by Maguire the ugly tackles must be banned.
And Luke said yesterday: "I have to control the tackles. 'Madge' (Maguire) is a bit like a mini-Wayne Bennett. What he says, goes."
Luke attracted considerable criticism for three recent tackles - diving at Sam Thaiday's legs in the Newcastle Test, a cannonball tackle on David Shillington in Warrington and twisting the leg of English player Rangi Chase, which drew a two-match ban.
"Issac came straight in and saw me," Maguire revealed. "He is aware of the situation. It's not something you can do in rugby league.
"It is definitely something we don't want moving forward and he is aware of that. He basically put his hand up and we'll work on his tackling technique moving forward.
"We have to make sure he doesn't give away penalties and put the team in a position. We have to do it the right way. Issac was fine."
Luke said the "circumstances were different" for each incident but admitted he must change his tackling style immediately.
"I have to control the tackles. There is a healthier and better way of doing it. I have to tidy up my around the legs tackle," Luke said.
"I am not a big fan of talking. The media know that. It was hard for me but we (he and Maguire) brought it up and got it out there.
"Madge was awesome. We can now step forward. We were both on the same page. I just have to tackle properly instead of flying in.
"There are different ways to do it."
Souths have returned to pre-season training and been installed a $15 chance to win next season's title by TAB Sportsbet.
Maguire arrives with enormous raps and should be a revelation at Redfern. His first major decision will be the captaincy and a decision between Michael Crocker, Roy Asotasi and possibly Sam Burgess.
"I will look at that around Christmas," he said.
"I am fairly open with it. I have discussed it with Michael and Roy. We will look at the dynamics of the group before making a decision. They are two good leaders."
Asked about Burgess, Maguire said: "I am open across the squad."
Maguire will be structured but hard - traits picked up during his time with Melbourne Storm under Craig Bellamy.
"I've got my ideas and the players are taking those on board," he said. "It will compliment what the club already has."I understand how they played but I also have my own style. It's an exciting place to be and the players are very enthusiastic. The staff and administration are the same."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...igned-issac-luke/story-e6frexnr-1226210642773
