League: Forced break makes Luke match-hungry

A fresh Issac Luke will be keen to display all his tricks in the Kiwis match against Samoa in Whangarei tomorrow. Photo / Getty Images

Issac Luke will be back leading the Kiwis pre-match haka against Samoa in Whangarei tomorrow but this time he'll be wearing football boots.

The 29-test veteran will make his long-awaited return from suspension for a lifting tackle on Sonny Bill Williams in last month's preliminary final last month, which robbed him of a grand final appearance and a place in last Saturday's win over the Kangaroos.

The crafty Rabbitohs No 9 is chomping at the bit to get back on the park and to have his first taste of international football this year, after injury ruled him out of April's Anzac test.

Luke fronted the haka in Brisbane and was a conspicuous sight in his bare feet, but there was an explanation for his casual look.

"There's a bit of meaning behind why I took my shoes off. Us Maoris don't do hakas in shoes, only in boots," Luke explained. "I know because my sister is hardout into her Maori culture and I grew up in kapa haka with the family. I would have got a kick up the arse if I had left my shoes on.

"I [also] didn't want to disrespect the Aboriginal native land because I know they do their war dance in bare feet as well. Boots are all right I reckon but shoes would look a bit funky.

"I missed the one at the Anzac test and Mooks [coach Stephen Kearney] goes 'why didn't you go out for it?'. So I said I'll make sure I go out for the next one."

The Hawera-born rake admitted it was difficult having to leave the pitch once the formalities were complete but was pleased with what unfolded without him.

"[It was] different actually. It was good, I managed to give as much as I could and the boys managed to do a great job and came away with the win.

"I've been waiting, getting itchy feet every week. I've just been trying to hold out my best, as much as I could but I did struggle. In saying that I had the right people around me to pull me through, my wife and kids and now I'm ready for this week."

Luke is predicting a fierce contest at Toll Stadium and believes players on both sides will have a point to prove.

"I know this will be a massive test, probably the biggest one out of all of them. I know a few of the boys and Frankie Pritchard is in there, ex-Kiwis and all the boys that wanted to make the Kiwis as well. I know it will be a big game for them and a massive game for us.

"We're going to do our best to try and contain them. They really gave England a run for their money and they've got some big boys in there and I play with a lot of them. We're going to have to really muscle up, tick all the boxes and get our preparation right."

Luke believes the Kiwis will have their hands full restricting the running game of his opposite, Pita Godinet, who has worked his way into the Samoan starting side after his two-try exploits against England.

Aside from wanting to build on last week's win, Luke says the Kiwis are intent on putting in a proud effort for Whangarei hometown hero Adam Blair.