NRL: Warriors recruit Issac Luke primed for Taranaki homecoming

Hawera-born Warriors recruit Issac Luke is looking forward to playing a historic NRL game in Taranaki in 2016. Photo/Getty.

Hawera-born Warriors recruit Issac Luke is thrilled with the prospect of playing in his home province with the club confirming they will play one regular season home game in Taranaki next season.

New Plymouth will host the region's first NRL match with the club agreeing with the District Council to use Yarrow Stadium for the Warriors' one scheduled NRL game outside Auckland in 2016.

The opposition and date of the match will be revealed upon release of the new NRL season draw today.

Luke, who co-captained the Kiwis on their recent four match tour of England, said the match will be a special occasion for him in his first season back in New Zealand after nine seasons with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

"I've played in big matches for the Kiwis and for the Rabbitohs but this will be right up there with the biggest moments of my career," Luke said.

"I'm really excited to be back home in New Zealand playing with the Warriors but it's a huge buzz to know I'm now also going to have the chance to play in Taranaki, to have all my family and friends there. I can't wait already."

Warriors coach Andrew McFadden understands the significance the match will hold for his new No9 and said the club was committed to connecting with their fans around the country.

"We're doing all we can to take the team to other centres around the country and it's special when it's a first, as it will be for New Plymouth hosting its first-ever NRL game," McFadden said.

"I know how much it will mean to Issac and that will just add to the excitement."
Managing director Jim Doyle said the club was keen to explore new territory after playing home games at Wellington's Westpac Stadium over the past three seasons.

"We're presently committed to playing one NRL game each season outside Auckland and this is a perfect fit," Doyle said.

"This time we've decided to try another centre and we'd really encourage fans from Taranaki and nearby regions to come out in force to support Issac and the team in New Plymouth.

"It will be a really big event for the city and the wider area as well as our members and fans from Auckland and further afield who will no doubt be there to follow the team."

New Plymouth District mayor Andrew Judd said the Warriors' historic visit would create huge anticipation.

"We are thrilled to have secured a Warriors NRL game at Yarrow Stadium giving Warriors and rugby league fans an opportunity to experience the NRL live in Taranaki," he said.

"It's exciting for local fans to see local lad Issac Luke play on home turf."

The Yarrow Stadium match ensures the Warriors will play at least three times outside Auckland in 2016 after recently confirming they will meet the Gold Coast Titans in an NRL trial in Whangarei on February 13 and Benji Marshall's St George Illawarra Dragons in Nelson on February 20.

More than 1500 tickets for the Nelson trial game have already been sold just 10 days after going on sale, breaking a Ticketek record for a pre-season fixture three months in advance.