Rugby league: Issac Luke in line for swift Warriors NRL return against Rabbitohs

Issac Luke of the Warriors. Photo / Photosport

Issac Luke is in line to return for the Warriors against the South Sydney Rabbitohs this weekend after being included on an extended bench.

Luke didn't return in the second half against the Sea Eagles in Christchurch in round three due to a hamstring complaint. The veteran Kiwis hooker then missed last week's 26-10 win over the Titans.

But after a good hit out at training on Tuesday, a return against his old club this weekend on the Sunshine Coast is on the cards.

Sam Lisone is also available for selection after serving a two-match suspension, incurred after a dangerous contact charge during the round two defeat to the Tigers.

"We weren't prepared to risk Issac last week against the Titans," said coach Stephen Kearney.

"But he's trained well since then and will certainly be given every opportunity to play this weekend."

At Tuesday's training Kearney said he was "pretty confident" about Luke's potential involvement, but he will no doubt take a cautious approach with the veteran.

A fit and firing Luke is vital for the Warriors; not only for the experience he adds to the spine, but also for the attacking flair he can bring to the team, given the absence of Shaun Johnson.

Australian Karl Lawton had a strong return to first grade against the Gold Coast side, and showed the value of a specialist in the No 9 jersey, and he is named to start again.

Nathaniel Roache remains out of the picture, after picking up a calf strain a day before the Tigers clash in Sydney. Kearney wouldn't specify how much longer he would be out for, only to say he was unavailable this week.

Chanel Harris-Tavita has been retained in the No 6 jersey, after an solid NRL debut last Friday. The 20-year-old showed a willingness to run with ball in hand, set up one try and made a line break to later put the Warriors in a promising attacking position. He also nailed his goal kicking responsibilities, and made 21 tackles in a busy display.

However Kearney was tempering any excitement about the local product.

"He did a okay job," Kearney told D'arcy Waldegrave on Radio Sport. "He executed his role pretty well and I was pleased he was able to do that. But he was the recipient of a pretty good team performance."

When asked on the improvements he was looking for from the Pakuranga Jaguars junior, Kearney said he wanted Harris-Tavita to take some load off Blake Green with more involvement in general play, particularly kicking.

Kearney also said the Junior Kiwi representative needed to brace himself for a increased defensive workload, with the Rabbitohs' power and size out wide.

Saturday's clash against the Rabbitohs will be the first NRL fixture played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

The Warriors have struggled against the Rabbitohs in recent years — with some heavy defeats — but were victorious the last time the two teams met in Australia, with a 32-20 win in Perth last March.

Wayne Bennett's team have started the season well, with eye-catching wins over the Roosters and Dragons, while there only defeat so far was a golden point loss to the Sea Eagles last weekend.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5pm (NZT).

Warriors team to face the Rabbitohs at Suncshine Coast Stadium on Saturday, 5pm kickoff:

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c)
2 David Fusitu'a
3 Peta Hiku
4 Solomone Kata
5 Ken Maumalo
6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
7 Blake Green
8 Agnatius Paasi
9 Karl Lawton
10 Leeson Ah Mau
11 Adam Blair
12 Tohu Harris
13 Lachlan Burr

Interchange:

14 Jazz Tevaga
15 Isaiah Papali'i
16 Bunty Afoa
17 Sam Lisone
18 Ligi Sao
20 Gerard Beale
21 Adam Keighran
22 Issac Luke
(four to be omitted)