Is Issac Luke being punished for signing with Warriors?

Issac Luke sits on the bench during the Rabbitohs' win over the Dragons. Photo / Getty Images

Star Kiwi hooker Issac Luke has paid an immediate price for quitting the Rabbitohs to join the Warriors next season.

Luke, regarded by many as the best No. 9 in the NRL, was shifted - and probably shafted - by Souths as they clung to a narrow victory over the Dragons last night.

Luke was dumped to the bench by Souths coach Michael Maguire with youngster Cameron McInnes starting at hooker instead.

McInnes is also set to leave the Rabbitohs at the end of the season, signing a deal with last night's opponents the Dragons, but the 21-year-old is reportedly considering a backflip on the deal with the news that Luke was leaving for the Auckland club.

Luke came onto the field before halftime and ended up playing 52 minutes in the 16-10 win. Junior Kangaroo McInnes meanwhile had a strong game, finishing with the second highest tackle count in the Rabbitohs lineup despite playing just 41 minutes of game time.

Maguire later suggested Luke's form had not been up to scratch, something not an issue prior to the Warriors' coup being revealed last week.

Maguire said: "We've got standards in our club about how we play...it was just a bit of rotation there. "

"Both (he and Luke) talk about his game quite a lot and we agreed we wanted to start with Camo tonight."

Maguire praised Luke's performance but wouldn't reveal specifics over a benching that has surprised players-turned-pundits and fans.

"He was good and brought a lot of enthusiasm," Maguire said. "Issac brings a lot of that whether he starts or if he's off the bench. It was just a bit of a change up tonight and I thought it went well."

In a Fox Sports poll this morning, 70 per cent of fans voted that Souths had got the decisions wrong.

Commenting on Luke's benching halfback Adam Reynolds added: "He got a little kick up the bum there during the week and I thought he responded well".

The sixth-placed Rabbitohs next play the Storm on Saturday night. Whether Luke continues to remain on the bench could become one of the talking points of the season.