NRL: Hollywood star Russell Crowe's message inspires Warriors hooker Issac Luke

Warriors hooker Issac Luke has credited a message from Hollywood actor and South Sydney co-owner Russell Crowe for sparking him into top form over the past fortnight.

The Kiwis No9 is good mates with The Gladiator star with their friendship going back to 2007, when a 19-year-old Luke made the move from the Bulldogs to join the Rabbitohs.

Crowe was less than pleased when Luke left Souths to join the Warriors following the Rabbitohs 2014 grand final win over Canterbury but the pair have remained close and stay in regular contact.

Ahead of Saturday's must-win clash against the Gold Coast, Luke revealed a text message from the 53-year-old urging him to take on greater leadership at the Warriors, helped him rediscover his running game in the round 12 win over Brisbane and last week's loss to Parramatta.

"We still keep that connection and I saw that message from him," said Luke.

"He's just a passionate as I am about rugby league and he always sends me messages before games.

"He's forever giving me stick anyway, he was pretty angry that I left.

"He just knows what I'm capable of. To pull put two good performances and give our fans what I was brought here to do, that's what I want to give (the club).

"Obviously I'm not happy with (last week's) loss but I was happy with my performance and I've just got to keep chipping away."

Luke explained Crowe was influential in helping his NRL career take flight when the Wellington-born actor lured him from Belmore to Redfern together with former Kiwis international front-rower Roy Asotasi.

The Rabbitohs are currently struggling down in 13th place on the premiership ladder - one spot below the Warriors - but the Crowe and Luke families share a tight bond.

"We go way back. He helped bring me to the club with Roy and we've stayed close ever since then.

"I'm pretty close with his kids and he's really close with mine.

"I still stay in contact with him and see how things are and see how his mum is. I'm pretty close to his mum."