Rabbitohs hooker eyes Kiwis test debut
South Sydney hooker Issac Luke wants a New Zealand debut in May's Centenary rugby league test against Australia and has called upon injured Rabbitoh Craig Wing to help him get it.
Luke has emerged as a genuine bolter for the Kiwis in the May 9 clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground, an ideal option at hooker ahead of utility Dene Halatau.
It was a dream Luke had wanted to achieve last year, but was left out of the Kiwis tour to England.
"To tell you the truth, it was last year and it pretty much broke me in half not making it," said Luke.
"This is another year and hopefully it's a better year.
"To play any game for the Kiwis is probably the best feeling you could ever have."
But the 20-year-old knows he needs to keep improving his own game to earn a test debut and wants injured halfback Wing to become his personal trainer so he can learn directly from the player he's modelled his own game on.
Luke said he was devastated with Wing's three month layoff due to shoulder surgery and has asked the 28-year-old former test star to return to training immediately if only to continue guiding his own career.
"I asked Craig to come around to training after he's had surgery if he has the time and talk to me about what I've got to do," said Luke, who was to room share with Wing during the Rabbitohs away trips.
"It's pretty much hit me pretty bad having him off the field but I'll have him in training and he'll be able to help."
Eddie Paea has been named at halfback for Friday's National Rugby League (NRL) clash with the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, replacing Wing, with Ben Rogers called in for dumped five-eighth Jeremy Smith.
The new halves combination boasts just 36 NRL games between them, and although Luke has played only 15 games himself, he wants to be the one to spark the Rabbitohs attack.
But the Kiwi knows he can't do it all himself, a fact coach Jason Taylor reinforced this week after the loss to the Roosters.
"(Taylor) just told me to play my game and to always play as a team sport," said Luke.
"When I try to do it all myself it is not good for the team.
"It was my first game (starting) and I was really hyped up.
"I've just got to play with my peers and maybe we can come away with a win.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4445206a1823.html
Now that is good to see. Could be him and Fien as our hookers.
