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.
The veteran hooker is contracted to the Warriors for 2019 on a relatively meagre deal given his status in the game. It’s understood Luke agreed to terms of about $150,000 on the proviso he would be released if a rival club came up with a more lucrative offer. The Herald can reveal Parramatta is contemplating doing just that with a deal believed to be worth about $700,000 in total for this year and next.
The Eels recruitment and retention committee has shifted its focus to 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.
Replies
I think this and the Burgess late attempt smacks of desperation, Lukes on 150k a year.
Why aree we about to offer him 700k for 2 seasons, which works out at exactly triple what he's on now?
Sounds desperate to me, i reckon the club knows we are way off the competition and are in for a long year.
Agreed Snake, offer him a year deal on more coin because we have some to spend but 2 years may cost us Mahoney or Schneider.
It just reeks of desperation for the sake of a signing.
Surely not worth moving to a different country for a one year deal at this stage of his life. I think he has a wife and kids. Considering tax, getting housing, organising schooling, child minding, moving away from family support, I just can't see how even double his current pay for one year would be worth it for his family long term.
He's already moved from New Zealand to Australia and back to New Zealand. He's a professional athlete and if given the opportunity to play in the NRL he'd take it.
Not for a one year deal to the wooden spooners when he already has a one year deal in NZ. Two years, or more, and your reply is obviously correct.
Yes but one year for $150k or $350k?, i know which one i would take.
I believe his manager will use this to get a better deal out of the Warriors.
It not desperation when everyone said we need another quality foward and many were saying an experienced hooker could help Mahoney for year or 2. It is addressing issues to help the side which many have asked for. The money only became available when Norman left and that is only reason this is happening so late, if it is even true.
think you will find the figures are wrong once again also. As an international hooker if Luke was allowed to sign on 150k that's bullsh#t. The manager spreads the story to up players value and probably fighting for upgrade to Luke's contract at Warriors after Johnson left and freed money up so doubt the figures are even close..
As for 700 working out to exactly triple 150, I assume you must went to one of Sydney's high quality public schools.
its agenda - thats how it comes out at triple.
150 x 3 = 450 when i went to school.
You must have gone to 1 of those fancy private schools
nah, public in the golden west ;-)
but i paid attention (some of the time)
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