Luke has strapped Warriors’ ‘best offer’ to consider
The Warriors are waiting to hear if off-contract hooker Issac Luke will accept a modest offer for next season as Newcastle close in on signing the Kiwi international.
Luke has been in prolonged talks with the Warriors about extending his time in Auckland, with the Knights and Parramatta Eels keen on luring him across the Tasman.
The 31-year-old faces a tough decision with the cash-strapped Warriors having little money left to spend under the salary cap and only able to offer him a heavily reduced one-year deal.
Newcastle coach Nathan Brown spent time in camp with the All Blacks last week and, while in Wellington, reportedly took the opportunity to meet with Luke and his agent Bruce Sharrock.
Sharrock admits discussions with the Knights have advanced but insists the Warriors are still in the race to retain the 254-game veteran.
“Things have progressed but I wouldn’t say [signing with Newcastle] is imminent, that’s for sure,” said Sharrock.
“There’s a fair bit of water still to go under the bridge.”
Newcastle are eying Luke as a potential signing as they consider options to replace sidelined hooker Slade Griffin, who suffered his fourth season-ending knee injury in July.
The Knights also have young Kiwi dummy half Danny Levi on their books and may yet re-sign versatile forward Jamie Buhrer and one-game rookie No 9 Tom Starling.
Warriors CEO Cameron George said the ball was in Luke’s court as they continue to wait for him to make a decision on his playing future.
After shelling out big bucks last year to sign Blake Green, Tohu Harris and Adam Blair and having re-signed captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck for four more years, the Warriors have little money left in the kitty. St George Illawarra front-row recruit Leeson Ah Mau will also join the Warriors next year on a three-year contract as the club’s only major new signing.
“We’ve made our best offer under the circumstances of our cap,” said George.
“That offer is before Issac and his manager to review and whether they have been provided with a better option, we haven’t been advised.
“We haven’t been told anything yet and that’s where we are at.”
The club was counting on Nathaniel Roache serving as Luke’s deputy before taking the reins next season but back surgery meant he was sidelined all year.
Having made just 20 appearances since debuting in 2016, the Warriors would prefer Roache gained more experience next season alongside Luke, if he agrees to stay.