NRL: 'Dumb luck' behind Luck's impressive run

Micheal Luck will take the field for the 200th time on Saturday night. Photo / Getty Images

There will be plenty of pride when Micheal Luck runs out for the New Zealand Warriors tomorrow night, but his primary focus will be the club's "precarious" position in the National Rugby League (NRL).

The match against Manly in Sydney will be Luck's 200th first-grade appearance in a career spanning a decade.

"It will be a proud night, more so at the moment for my family," he said.

"In five or 10 years' time I'll probably look back on it and it will be nice to be able to tell the kids that I used to be able to do something right back in the day."

However, Luck was more concerned getting the Warriors up the ladder after a two-win, three-loss start to the season has them in 11th spot, two points and four places below the Sea Eagles.

"I'm more worried about getting the win because it's a pretty precarious place we're in," he said.

"We'll be either two-and-four, or three-and-three, and that's a big difference."

Workaholic defence and durability have been two of Luck's big characteristics.

He made his debut in 2001 and there was also a Manly connection then as well - the opposition were the Northern Eagles, the now defunct Manly-North Sydney merger.

Since moving across the Tasman before the 2006 season, he has missed just eight of the Warriors' 131 matches.

His first 70 appearances for the club were consecutive, and it wasn't until late 2008 that injury ended that run.

His grittiness was in full evidence after his leg was ripped open on Manly backrower Anthony Watmough's studs in the corresponding match at Brookvale Oval last August.

The gash was a large and nasty one, and required numerous stitches, but he was back just three weeks later for the qualifying final against Gold Coast.

"Dumb luck" is his explanation for his general ability to steer clear of the casualty ward.

"There's been a lot more gifted footballers than me who have had major injuries that have cut their career short," he said.

"I've never, touch wood, had any other those things. I suppose I'm not a real power athlete that has the risk of big muscle tears. It's more luck than anything."

Luck, who turns 29 next week, came to the Warriors with his career at the crossroads but has cemented his spot as first-choice lock.

"I didn't come on that much money and I just came for the opportunity more than anything," he said.

"I've just love every minute over here and I've never taken anything for granted.

"You always have to work and keep your performance high because there are that many young guys who could do your job, given the chance."

A noted tackling machine, Luck has twice topped the NRL standings for most tackles in a season.

In April 2009, he broke the league's record for most tackles in a match with 74 in a 14-14 draw with Melbourne.

Coach Ivan Cleary rated Luck's double century as a huge achievement, "especially when he plays the way he does - every game is a battle".

He described Luck's professionalism as second to none and highlighted the way he prepared for matches.

"But probably the biggest thing is just his mental toughness," Cleary said.

"He gets plenty of injuries and knocks and he just overcomes them. He won't let anything keep him down."