Newcastle legend Andrew Johns has urged the Knights to sign New Zealand Warriors hooker Issac Luke amid reports they are having second thoughts about bringing the veteran across the ditch.
Luke was considered a done deal to join Nathan Brown’s squad as cover for the injured Slade Griffin (ACL) after meeting with the Knights coach last week.
But uncertainty once again surrounds the Kiwi international’s future as he prepares to undergo a shoulder reconstruction.
Despite having a standout season the Warriors have only offered the 31-year-old a modest one-year deal, while the Knights are curiously the only rival NRL club interested in the classy rake.
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But Johns declared Luke is worth the risk despite conceding his shoulder injury is ‘a bit of a worry’.
“I think it’s a good thing, he’s still got his speed,” Johns told Channel Nine.
“He’ll be a good buy. I think he’s still got another two or three good years in him.”
Issac Luke to have shoulder surgery next week. Has a history of shoulder issues (e.g. surgery in 2014), then he dislocated his shoulder in May but was able to play out the season. No word on surgery specifics; possible he requires a shoulder reconstruction (3-6 months recovery)
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) September 18, 2018
But News Limited journalist and Sporting News Australia contributor Brent Read believes Luke’s move to the Knights is far from a done deal due to his impending shoulder surgery and concerns over his work ethic.
“Well he’s got to have a shoulder reconstruction in the off-season and it looks as though that has put the deal in jeopardy, it might not go ahead now,” Read said on Thursday.
“So Issac Luke, he’s scrounging around, I mean he’s had a great year Issac Luke but his reputation’s hurt him a little bit.
“The Warriors have made him a one-year offer so he’s got that as a fall-back option but I’m not sure if that’s still on the table though, so he could be in all sorts, Issac Luke.
“…He’s shadowed by a pretty dodgy past in terms of getting himself fit and not always applying himself as he should.
“And I think that’s what’s hurting him at the moment and it’s certainly why the Warriors don’t want to give him any more than one year because they feel like if you give him comfort he lets his game go.”
