SOUTH SYDNEY superstar Issac Luke is considering knocking back a mammoth offer to remain at the club for the next five years in favour of linking with Parramatta.
Luke is contracted to the Rabbitohs for next year and Souths officials are desperate to extend the stay of perhaps their most influential player until the end of 2015. Souths owner Russell Crowe has a track record of getting his man and it was believed the diminutive hooker was set to put pen to paper once his Four Nations commitments were completed.
However, sources in New Zealand have told The Sun-Herald that Luke is close to Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney, who was recently appointed to oversee the Eels. While signing a long-term extension with Souths is an option, it's understood Luke could put negotiations with the foundation club on hold with a view to playing under Kearney at club level in 2012.
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Should he go on the market, Luke would be one of the most sought after signatures in the game. The 23-year-old won the George Piggins Medal as the Rabbitohs' best and fairest earlier this month and was in contention for Dally M medal honours before a shoulder injury.
Kearney chose Luke on the interchange bench for last night's Four Nations encounter with England in Wellington, with Wigan's Thomas Leuluai chosen to start at hooker.
Kearney replaced Daniel Anderson at Parramatta earlier this month, with Eels officials believing he could tap into the vast pool of league talent from across the Tasman. However, in a recent interview with The Sun-Herald, Kearney said it was important he got the gig because of his achievements with Melbourne and New Zealand rather than his bond with Polynesian players.
Asked if he was the NRL's first Polynesian coach, Kearney replied: ''I'm not 100 per cent sure. For me, I'm a coach first and I know for a fact I got the coaching role on my merits.
''I think Tony Kemp might have been [the first] at the New Zealand Warriors. [Laughing] Hopefully, I'll still be a Polynesian coach in two years time.''
As revealed last weekend, Parramatta is ready to pounce on Johnathan Thurston should North Queensland cut the playmaker. The Eels, desperate to sign a quality halfback for next season, are also continuing discussions with former Manly No.7 Matt Orford, with a release from English club Bradford the biggest sticking point.
