Issac Luke holds the key for Kiwis
November 19th 2008 08:05
Nathan Cayless may be the captain of New Zealand, but Issac Luke is the man that will undoubtedly lead the Kiwis into battle against the Kangaroos this Saturday night at Suncorp stadium.
Whether it be his demonic pose when performing the Haka or the fact his nickname is ‘Uncle Bully’, Luke carries the hopes of all the Kiwi faithful thanks to his tireless work ethic and his ability to perform in a situation only true champions can muster.
Unfortunately for the 21 year old, the obstacle standing in his way for a starting birth for New Zealand comes in the form of the Kiwi coaching staff.
Luke has only played three tests in this world cup, all from the bench. He did not make the Kiwi starting seventeen in their first clash against Australia, although the result suggested they needed a man of his skill to spark things up.
Despite becoming a regular in New Zealand’s line-up, Luke has had to bide his time on the sidelines for nearly a half of football in every match he has played in so far in this world cup.
Coach Stephen Kearney has instead opted for the inexperienced Thomas Leulaui to start at hooker for the past three games.
Although he has displayed promising form at dummy half, Leulaui is yet to rival the match winning effects provided by Luke in this position.
Indeed there is more to Luke than just his skill and work ethic that makes him such a valuable tool of this New Zealand team.
The Rabbitohs hooker consistently gives out an aura of passion that makes others around him play better football.
The energy the man puts in his Haka performance is unmatched, which inturn guarantees that Luke will go all out in the critical twenty minute opening of a test match.
Its for that fact alone that Kearney would be stupid not to start Luke at hooker with Leulaui going back to the bench.
Against Australia, the Kiwis can ill afford a slow start against the raging world cup favourites. They did so in Sydney and were comprehensively beaten 30-6.
Luke on the other hand will turn this deficiency in New Zealand’s game into a strength the Kiwis can use to humble the Kangaroos.
Indeed Luke has the uncanny knack of pushing his forwards over the advantage line courtesy of his slick passing and his 87 kilo strong body constantly breaking tackles.
Not to mention his kicking game out of dummy half is also sound.
The Hawera Hawks junior should even be allowed to play the full eighty minutes if he so chooses.
Although he nearly gave up rugby league in his teenage years, the Kiwis will give up a world cup if they fail to give Luke the starting birth he needs to give New Zealand an adequate chance of winning a maiden world cup that has an Australian victory written all over it.
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