NRL 2020: Broncos hooker Issac Luke backs new club to end their premiership-winning drought
Issac Luke has seen how a rebuild can turn into a drought-breaking premiership win – and he sees how Brisbane can climb out of the mire and quickly silence the doubters.
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Issac Luke has scoffed at suggestions the Broncos are a club in crisis and says Brisbane‘s young guns will have the last laugh by one day winning the premiership.
Luke’s experience during South Sydney’s premiership winning year in 2014 tells the 275-game hooker the Broncos have the galaxy of stars to break the club’s 14-year title drought.
The Broncos have come under intense scrutiny following a month-long losing streak, including their record 59-0 defeat to the Roosters earlier this month.
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It has left the powerhouse Queensland club floundering in 10th spot on the premiership ladder ahead of their Round 7 clash with the Titans.
However, after a week settling in at his new club, Luke has hit back at the critics and believed the Brisbane playing group will one day be able to silence the doubters.
“For sure (they can win the competition) and sooner rather than later,” Luke said.
“Hopefully I am part of it. I spoke to them in a meeting about little things and how I was a young fella once upon a time and I got the same speech from Roy Asotasi and David Kidwell.
“The challenge is to get back on the horse, block everything out and keep on going.
“That was the big message to all the boys.”
Luke has experienced all the highs and lows during his decorated 14-year NRL career, from a 10th spot finish in 2009 with South Sydney through to their 2014 premiership-winning season.
The Broncos starting hooker said his new club was on a similar rebuilding path towards premiership glory.
“It is not just going to happen,” he said.
“It is a building phase and hopefully I am part of it.
“They brought Benny [Te’o] in and he was part of the rebuilding at South Sydney.
“He came in 2013 and at the end of 2014 went to rugby.
“When Madge came in 2012 he changed the whole franchise.
“I know that is what (coach Anthony Seibold) is trying to do here.
“I just want to be part of it and add experience when it comes to leadership and doing the right things and working on the one percenters ….all those little things that add up.”
The Broncos face local rivals Gold Coast this Saturday in a game that many at Red Hill will be hoping can kick start a return to the winner’s circle.
Luke was adamant it won’t take much for the team to find their winning ways again.
When asked what the team needed, the Broncos No.9 said: “not much”.
“We can talk about all kinds of different things but if we got six more sets last week we put ourselves in the game,” Luke said.
“It is not about who wants to turn up.
“It is about getting possession because that is what the game is.
“It is a different game to when I was at South Sydney anyway.
“The game is faster and it’s all about what you can create around the ruck and momentum.
“We’ve got to move away from wrestling and doing our best around the ruck.”