League: Luke to be retained as goal kicker

Issac Luke of the Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images.

Issac Luke will be retained as the Kiwis' goal kicker in tomorrow's third test against England in Wigan - despite only moderate success so far on tour.

The Kiwis co-captain missed a penalty shot handy to the posts in the 70th minute of last week's second test, with the game in the balance at 8-2.

It would have put the tight match almost out of reach for the home side, instead it went down to the wire until Jordan Kahu's late, late field goal.

Earlier in the same game Kahu confidently converted Shaun Kenny-Dowall's try from the sideline but the Kiwis centre is content to remain the back up to Luke.

"I'm happy to let him kick and do my job, fill my role for the team," said Kahu. "He's an awesome kicker [but] we all miss them and I'm sure he will be filthy on himself for missing that one [last week]. But I'm OK to be the number two."

The absence of Shaun Johnson has exposed the Kiwis' paucity of goal kicking options on this tour.

Before the series Luke was the only member of this squad with international goal kicking experience but due to the presence of Johnson and Benji Marshall he hadn't kicked a goal for his country since 2011 and had only landed 19 test goals in his whole career. He had a reasonable strike rate at the Rabbitohs, but Adam Reynolds has taken the job in recent years.

Kahu showed his mettle with some pressure kicks in the NRL finals this year - including two in the grand final - but is still learning, with just 22 goals for the Broncos 35 NRL matches. Lolohea has occasionally filled in for the Warriors (13 goals) and Peta Hiku has hit the odd conversion for the Sea Eagles.

Goal kicking accuracy is likely to be vital in the third test, especially in the expected wet and windy conditions at DW Stadium. Three of the last four matches between these two teams have been decided by seven points or less and it's hard to see anything too different tomorrow.

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