Journey from Hawera to NRL heights

• Published date: 29 September 2021
• Author: LEAGUE

The Kiwis great and Rabbitohs legend is hanging up his boots after a career where he achieved almost everything possible.

League has dominated his life since he left Taranaki as a teenager to chase his NRL dreams in Sydney.

“My goal was to give kids from where I came from pathways,” Luke told the Weekend Herald. “I wasn’t big, or tall, but I had a bit of mongrel and skill.

“For someone from Hawera, even getting one [NRL] game was special. So getting to 286 and 43 tests, I’m pretty content with what I’ve done.

“I’m happy to leave the game, moving on to the next phase of my life, knowing I left a mark in the NRL.”

Luke had some rough edges but was a wonderful player. He is probably the best hooker in Kiwis history (although Brandon Smith may one day assume that mantle) and was a dominant No9 in the NRL.

He was a fearless competitor who helped change the sport with his dummy-half running game, and at times even overshadowed Australian Cameron Smith at his peak.

Luke hasn’t had the farewell he perhaps deserved, playing for Wynnum Manly, the Brisbane Broncos’ feeder club, in the latter half of this season, but that won’t detract from his legacy.

He was part of a golden...