Doyle: Luring Luke home discussed for years

South Sydney's Isaac Luke. Photo / Getty Images

The Warriors have long hoped Issac Luke would come on board, with club chief executive Jim Doyle having first discussed the move several years ago.

Doyle knew Luke from his previous role with as head of the NZRL, when the No9 would often talk about returning home to New Zealand.

"I've talked to Issac over the last couple of years quite a lot and he talked about coming home at some point in time," said Doyle. "Every time Issac went into camp, even when I was the CEO at the New Zealand Rugby League, he always talked about coming home at some point.

"This has stemmed from there really. So it was always a good possibility that at some point he may join the Warriors. It was a shame that he signed his last contract when he could have come here then but at the end of the day it's good now that he's got there."

Luke has long wanted to reunite with family back in New Zealand while his desire to play in front of his father George was a key reason behind him seeking a release from the final two years of his contract with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"I've been away from home for a long time now and I really miss it," Luke said. "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."

Luke admitted he also felt sad to be leaving the Rabbitohs after 11 years at Redfern.

"I've been at the club for a while and now I get to go home," Luke said ahead of Souths' showdown with St George Illawarra on Monday night. "That's the exciting part but I leave a lot of friends behind at Souths.

"It's been up and down the last few days, but now I'm glad it's over and I can focus on Monday."

Doyle said Luke's signing was one of the most significant in the club's history.

"On top of signing Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck] as well, it's a fantastic coup for us to secure Issac," he said. "We are always looking to bring elite players to our club and in Issac we have signed one of the very best there is."

Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden was elated.

"His arrival at the club will provide a massive lift to our side," he said. "With the game getting faster and the prospect of the number of interchanges being reduced, 80-minute hookers have become a real asset.

"Issac is an exceptional dummy half and he underlined that for the Kiwis in the Anzac Test against the Kangaroos. He was outstanding. It's hugely exciting for us knowing Issac and Roger will on board next year."

While he missed last year's NRL grand final through suspension, the Hawera-born Luke was a critical contributor to South Sydney's first premiership in 43 years.

He has also been as integral performer in the Kiwis' string of international successes in the last seven years. He was used from the interchange bench in the wins in the Rugby League World Cup final in 2008 and the Four Nations final in 2010 while he started in the Four Nations final win last year and again in Brisbane last Sunday when the Kiwis won their third consecutive Test against the Kangaroos.