Luke plots final days at the top

Canberra have won the last three encounters between these teams. The Warriors have lost just twice to the Raiders in Auckland since 2002. A strong second half comeback from the Raiders, where they scored 14 unanswered points, powered them to a 20-8 victory in round seven. Issac Luke

NRL exit.

It’s not quite as drastic as it sounds — but an indication that Luke realises he is nearing the final few chapters of a storied career.

Luke, who will be on the Warriors’ bench today against the Raiders after a poor performance in Newcastle last week, is already preparing for life after football.

“I’m thinking about it at the moment,” Luke told the Herald on Sunday. “At the moment me and my manager are planning my exit [from the game]. When will that be — we don’t know — but we are trying to work backwards, to see what life will look like after my footy career has finished.”

Luke, who made his NRL debut in 2007 and has played 227 games, hopes to play at least two or three more seasons.

“Hopefully I can . . . I see myself doing that, but we’ll see how that goes,” said Luke. “I want to try and stay in the NRL as long as I can, to keep testing myself.”

But whether Luke sees out his career at the Warriors is a moot point. His contract expires at the end of next season, and the club is aware of the young talent coming through, especially Nathaniel Roache. Luke has enjoyed a fair season, often behind a struggling pack. His running output is down on previous seasons but he has also had a higher defensive workload this year than at any other time in his NRL career.

Luke’s preference is to stay at Mt Smart, but he is also realistic about the young contenders on his heels.

“At the moment I need to focus on the rest of the season and I’ll let my manager figure the rest out,” said Luke. “My wife and my kids love it here and it would be awesome to stay. But I know we have some pretty good youngsters coming through, especially in my position, and I’m keen to let them have their chance.”

Roache will get his opportunity to impress today, starting just his third NRL game. He was good against the Knights in an upbeat display, one positive from the 26-10 defeat. But his experience will be tested by the Canberra pack, one of the biggest and most physical in the NRL, and Luke may yet play an extended role. is already planning his