SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Issac Luke of the Rabbitohs celebrates his try during the round two NRL match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on March 15, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)
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:
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.
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.
Sam Tomkins to Return to England After Mixed NRL Stint
Apr 9, 2015
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Sam Tomkins of the Warriors in action during the round two NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the New Zealand Warriors at GIO Stadium on March 15, 2015 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Sam Tomkins has been granted an early release from his three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors and will return home to England at the conclusion of the 2015 season, according to David Skipwith of the New Zealand Herald.
It is a move that seemed inevitable after rumours of the English fullback suffering from homesickness, as well as the inking of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's signature for the 2016 season.
Tomkins arrived in New Zealand with plenty of hype at the beginning of 2014. Reports of his exploits in the UK's Super League had trickled their way down to the southern hemisphere, and by all accounts, the Warriors had penned a superstar to their books.
He started off pretty well, too, showing off his dangerous running game at the Auckland Nines, proving a key player for the hosts alongside Shaun Johnson. With four players fewer on the park, he made use of the extra space available, and his ability to saunter through holes in the defence was evident.
Once the real thing started, it was a tougher transition. He took a while adjusting to the more physical nature of the NRL, at times being run through far too easily on defence, struggling to make any physical impact on attack, while also faltering under the high ball.
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 27: Daly Cherry-Evans runs in to score for Manly tackled by Sam Tomkins of the Warriors during the round 20 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Manly Sea Eagles at Mt Smart Stadium on July 27, 2014 in Auckland,
As the season wore on, he began to look more polished. The fast-paced, open game the Warriors are known for suited him, and he began to threaten coming into the line.
His best attribute has been having arguably the fastest pair of hands in the Premiership, timing his run into the line and almost hitting the ball to his outside man with unerring accuracy. It is this speed that has created space for his wingers, as the defence all of a sudden finds itself not having drifted far enough.
Despite his undeniable danger on attack, he never quite worked his way into the category of the NRL's elite fullbacks.
Never in the class of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater or Jarryd Hayne, he would perhaps find himself somewhere in the mix with the next tier of No. 1's. Had he stayed longer, he may have found the form to work his way into the top five fullbacks in the Premiership, but he has not done that just yet.
With three quarters of a season left until his departure, there is still time for Tomkins to make a statement in the south. Whether he does or not, he has shown enough flashes of brilliance to give Warriors fans some fond memories of his stint with their team.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to Sign with New Zealand Warriors
Apr 7, 2015
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Roosters makes a line break during the round 24 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Sydney Roosters at Remondis Stadium on August 26, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
The New Zealand Warriors are expected to sign Kiwi outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, as was reported by Michael Carayannis of the Sydney Morning Herald. The Warriors have reportedly offered the 21-year-old a deal worth $800,000 per year, almost double what he was being offered to stay at the Sydney Roosters.
It is a huge coup for the Warriors to land the signature of a genuine superstar, who failed in their bids for the Kiwi pairing of Jason Taumalolo and Kieran Foran, while also being passed over by Trent Merrin, according to Carayannis.
An electric runner possessing speed, agility, an explosive side-step and dazzling footwork, there are few players in the NRL more dangerous than Tuivasa-Sheck. Having played on the wing for the Sydney Roosters over the past two years, he has been touted as a player of tremendous potential. In 2013, he was named Dally M Winger of the Year, before proceeding to star for New Zealand at that year's Rugby League World Cup.
It has been widely thought that he would be the man to fill the boots of Anthony Minichiello at fullback when the stalwart retired, and that has come into fruition this year. At the back Tuivasa-Sheck has been nothing short of brilliant. On both the counter and coming into the line, his speed and explosive step have seen him cut opposition defences to pieces.
In fact he has been possibly the best outside back in the Premiership thus far. That is a good sign as far as the Warriors are concerned, although they will not be seeing him in their own jersey until next year.
Undoubtedly he will be the intended replacement for their current fullback, Englishman Sam Tompkins. Tompkins has had a mixed time with the Warriors, arriving from the Super League with plenty of hype but taking a while to find his feet in the more physical NRL. His deft touches out wide will be missed, but in Tuivasa-Sheck, the Warriors have a more potent attacking weapon and a player who will only get better.
The move is a return home for Tuivasa-Sheck, having grown up in Auckland and making his name as one of the top prospects in both rugby league and rugby union at Otahuhu College. He was then snatched from his homeland at the age of 18 by the Sydney Roosters.
