Heilum Luki a Cowboys-contracted young gun to watch
It is the footage that proves Heilum Luki may just be the most naturally gifted athlete with a footy in his hands – and which Pride coach Ty Williams watched on “with the utmost disgust”.
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It is the footage that proves Heilum Luki may just be the most naturally gifted athlete with a footy in his hands – and which Northern Pride coach Ty Williams watched on “with the utmost disgust”.
The prodigiously-talented and rugby league player will be back in Northern Pride colours when he lines up for the Giants in their Lightning Challenge opener against the Tully Tigers on Saturday.
It will be the first game day for rugby league in Cairns since the coronavirus forced the cancellation of the Cairns District Rugby League and Intrust Super Cup, and Luki will be the man many will be keeping an eye on when the whistle finally blows.
The Cowboys-contracted second-rower has spent the past few weeks playing the 15-man code at Wanderers alongside uncle Aaron, dominating to such an extent it made Williams sick to see the vision of his rising star leaving defenders grasping at thin air.
It was tough viewing for Williams, who, with no rugby league games since March, has been forced to watch men who would normally be his troops star in other codes.
“With the utmost disgust, I did catch some of the footage,” Williams said.
“He could do any sport. He’s just a naturally gifted athlete. I did see his try — or tries — and breaks that he did on the weekend, and the week before as well.”
Williams said it would be good to have the young talent back on a rugby league field.
“He’s obviously got to start to focus,” the coach said.
“He goes down to the Cowboys in three months’ time to do a pre-season with the big boys. He needs to start doing his football stuff.
“It’s good to have something back on so we can focus on that.”
Luki proved just at home on the rugby field, his ability to slot into most positions a godsend for Wanderers, who have returned to the A-grade FNQ Rugby competition.
He’s consistently been among the best on field – and bagged a swag of tries – making an impact Wanderers may find it difficult to replace.
“He was a really good pick-up for us, and we hoped to hold on to him for as long as we can,” Wanderers vice president and utility Traye Hodge said.
“He played in the second row and flanker for us but we moved him out to inside centre (against Brothers).”
It was from inside centre the footage of Luki stepping past defenders and turning on the afterburners to score some meat pies surfaced, and his strong performances against JCU Mariners and Port Douglas proved he could call the rugby field home.
But a return to rugby league was always on the cards for the talented teenager, who is contracted to the Cowboys and will almost certainly be part of their future plans.
The Pride will field two teams in the Lightning Challenge, with the Reef Kings to face Brothers in the opening game of the Stan Williams Park double header at 2pm.
Originally published as Heilum Luki a Cowboys-contracted young gun to watch