Luke keen to go 80 minutes to o

David Skipwith

Veteran Warriors hooker Issac Luke hopes to prove he can consistently play 80 minutes and save the side from carrying a back-up dummy half on the interchange bench.

The 30-year-old was pleased he played the entirety of last week’s win over Gold Coast following young second rower Isaiah Papali’i’s knee injury, after Luke was replaced by Sam Cook with 12 minutes remaining in the round one victory over South Sydney.

Cook has been relegated to reserve grade this week, with Jazz Tevaga providing cover for hooker and the back row for tomorrow’s match against the Raiders in Canberra, but Luke hopes he can convince coach Stephen Kearney to use that bench spot in other ways.

“I want to get back to playing 80 minutes but I’ve got to earn that,” said Luke.

“That’s something we’ve been working on. I’m getting old but I want to push that out and for the side just to have the one option.

“But I’ll do what’s best for the team and if we have to carry [a back-up No 9] to give me a break, then I’m cool with that.

“I’ve got to think about the team first and if I’m falling behind, I’ll get my rest, and then come back on if I can.

“The type of game that I play is for fast people, so I’ve got to try and stay fit and fast.”

After overcoming their Perth hoodoo, the Warriors will hope to buck the trend in another of the NRL’s most difficult away assignments, with the trip to Canberra requiring two flights.

They have won just three of 15 games at GIO Stadium.