| Luke the Difference: Taylor | | Print | |
| Tuesday, 26 June 2007 07:53 | |||
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By James MacSmith Club Football Writer RABBITOHS coach Jason Taylor says Issac Luke could have a long career ahead of him in the red and green no.9 jersey following an impressive performance in yesterday’s 16-12 win over the Sharks.
In just his fourth NRL game Luke showed he can cut it at first grade level with a strong showing in attack and defence culminating in a performance that led Taylor to comment that Luke was “the difference between the two teams”. Luke was quick out of dummy half and he made a number of hits in defence against players much bigger and much more experienced than him. “It was only his fourth game in the NRL and he looks more comfortable every week,” Taylor said. “Everyone in the club has seen a lot in him since the pre-season. His first game was against Melbourne and that was a tough initiation and he has moved on from there. He was going along so well in the lower grades that he virtually forced our hand to pick him in first grade and he hasn’t put a foot wrong there either. He is a good young kid. I think we will continue to use him off the bench as we have been, but in the long term he is definitely an option for us in the hooking role. He has a lot to learn but he is going the right way about it.” Luke came across from the Bulldogs for the 2007. He was first spotted by South Sydney recruitment manager Mark Hughes (when he was with the Dogs) in Auckland playing for Wellington u18s in 2003. Luke played Bartercard Cup, the top level rugby league competition in New Zealand at just 17. He represented the Bulldogs in Premier League but did not play first grade. His NRL debut was against the Storm at Olympic Park in round 12 and he has played every game since. “Defensively he is very strong and as soon as he learns to communicate with his halves and his pack he will be a lot better in attack,” Hughes said. “He is a good young kid and his performances have been consistent with where we think he is at. He still has a lot to learn but he has put in some good solid performances so far.” Luke has represented New Zealand u16s in 2002 and has played for the junior Kiwis in 2004 and 2005.
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| Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 July 2007 06:01 |
