https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ee...id-on-warriors-star-luke-20190221-p50zdm.html
Eels consider revenge poaching raid on Warriors star Luke
Parramatta are considering launching a revenge poaching raid on the Warriors that would result in Kiwis hooker Issac Luke immediately shifting to the Eels.
Just days after the
Herald revealed the details of the Warriors' $3 million offer to Parramatta youngster Dylan Brown it has emerged that the blue and golds are eyeing off Luke.
after missing out on George Burgess. The South Sydney prop has opted to stay put despite the opportunity of securing a lucrative three-year deal if he immediately shifted to Sydney’s golden west. The Rabbitohs were not prepared to release the England international, believing he will be a key contributor to this year’s premiership campaign.
Parramatta officials have not yet tabled Luke an offer as they internally debate whether he is worth formally pursuing. However, there is a consensus that they should strengthen the hooking position if the right No.9 becomes available.
The wooden spooners have great faith in Reed Mahoney, believing he has the potential to become the club’s long-term dummy-half. However, given the inexperience of coach Brad Arthur’s spine - Mahoney has played only nine NRL games and Brown is yet to make his debut - there is a feeling Luke would provide much-needed experience. The injury-prone Kaysa Pritchard and utility Will Smith are the only other viable options at Arthur’s disposal after Cameron King joined the Super League.
The Eels had approached former premiership-winning NSW hooker Michael Ennis about the prospect of mentoring the club’s rakes. However, Ennis opted to take up a similar role with Canberra instead.
Luke is viewed not only as a solid playing option but also a man capable of helping Mahoney and Pritchard hone their games. Luke brings the experience of 255 NRL games for South Sydney and the Warriors, as well as 37 Tests for New Zealand. He was given the honour of leading the Kiwis out in last year’s historic international against England in Denver.
There were fears Luke could miss the start of the season due to shoulder and knee problems. However, it’s understood he has recovered well and the Warriors are hopeful he’ll be available for their final trial against Wests Tigers at Northland Events Centre.
Should the Eels earn his signature, it would be sweet revenge for the unsuccessful raid the Warriors launched at Brown. The 18-year-old is contracted to the Eels until the end of 2020 and is off limits to rivals given clubs can’t approach players until the last year of their contract.
The Warriors identified Brown as their long-term replacement for Shaun Johnson and tabled him a $3m contract offer. The Warriors claim they were told Brown was off contract in 2019, but the move has infuriated the Eels and is now the the subject of an NRL investigation.
Should the governing body deem it a breach of anti-tampering rules, it could result in hefty sanctions. It could also spell trouble for controversial recruiter Peter O’Sullivan, whose names was on the bottom of the contract offer. O’Sullivan was previously deregistered while at the Roosters following an investigation into a breach of the league's betting rules and his financial dealings with notorious punter Eddie Hayson.
