Why Issac Luke is the Warriors' greatest signing

Kiwis hooker Isaac Luke jubilant after winning the Four Nations rugby league final against the Kangaroos played at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell.

Confirmation today that the Warriors have signed Kiwis and South Sydney Rabbitohs hooker Issac Luke on a three-year deal has New Zealand league fans clicking their heels and rightly so.

The 27-year-old Hawera product is already being touted as the greatest signing in the Warriors 20-year history and that is not overstating matters.

With 176 NRL appearances and 33 tests under his belt, Luke joins the Warriors at the peak of his career and could be the missing piece in the club's premiership jigsaw puzzle.

With Nathan Friend's contract set to expire at the end of the year and Kiwis back-up hooker Thomas Leuluai signed through to the end of 2017, Luke's arrival could not have been more timely.

The thought of the Warriors fielding three of the Kiwis' spine players - Luke, Shaun Johnson, and incoming fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck - is a mouthwatering prospect and those combinations will be in place and club and international level for years to come.

Luke provides the Warriors with an 80 minute dummy-half, adding polish, toughness and greater attacking thrust to the club's already impressive forward pack. He can also take on the goal kicking duties if required.

The recent changes to the NRL's ruck interpretations, with all defenders required to release the tackled player simultaneously, have enhanced Luke's running game and made him more of a threat to retreating defensive lines.

His ability to deliver quick ball on the back of the Warriors' relentless go-forward should open more opportunities for Johnson and co to show their wares - as demonstrated in Sunday's dynamic Anzac test victory over the Kangaroos.

The acquisition of Luke, together with Tuivasa-Sheck, should also increase the Warriors bargaining power with other potential recruits and help sway players who are in two minds about making the shift across the Tasman.

Furthermore, Luke - a key member of both the Kiwis and Rabbitohs senior player's groups - joins the Warriors a more mature player after having disciplinary issues earlier in his career.

Over the past 12 months with the Rabbitohs, Luke has actively sought out media training and been more accessible to journalists, as he looks to take on more responsibility and set a good example for younger players.

The role and influence of Warriors chief executive Jim Doyle in getting this deal over the line cannot be understated.

Just six months after taking over from his predecessor, Wayne Scurrah, he already has Warriors fans united in their praise and the improvements being made at all levels at Mt Smart are clear for all to see.

Just like the Tuivasa-Sheck signing was handled, the Luke deal surprised almost everyone, and was achieved quietly behind the scenes.

Just what Doyle has planned next is the big question on the minds of excited Warriors fans but the future seems bright no matter which way you look at it.