Cameron McInnes injury return: Dragons skipper to miss 6-12 weeks
He took to social media in search of an NRL career lifeline and now Issac Luke has emerged as St George Illawarra’s season saviour following a shock injury to captain Cameron McInnes.
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Unwanted hooker Issac Luke called St George Illawarra skipper Cam McInnes and delivered a simple message: “I can do a job for you.”
Luke could not have known how big that job would become.
A gutted McInnes has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks after sustaining a knee injury during the Nines tournament in Perth.
McInnes will now hand over the hooking duties to the very player he helped lure to the club – Luke.
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Luke and McInnes remained friends from their playing days together at South Sydney in 2015. Unsigned by New Zealand Warriors after last season, Luke took to social media to offer his services to rival clubs.
Then fearful of being pushed into England’s Super League, Luke rang McInnes, who showed selflessness to urge Dragons coach Paul McGregor to sign a player in the same position. McGregor then contacted Luke and a cut-price one-year deal was struck.
Although signed purely as a back-up dummy half, Luke, who turns 33 in May, will now play a key role in the Dragons’ bid for success early this season.
It’s a massive responsibility given the Dragons will again be without Jack de Belin and coach Paul McGregor needs early success to save his job.
Sup guys. I haven’t retired although I feel like I’m getting too old. 😂😂😂😂 I just haven’t got a club for next yet. But my manager wife and myself are looking for a club. Any takers 😂😂 have one more game for the warriors. And that’s all that matters right now. Love y’all â¤ï¸
— issac luke (@issacluke_14) August 30, 2019
In his Twitter post last August, a desperate Luke wrote: “I haven’t retired although I feel like I’m getting too old. I just haven’t got a club for next (year) yet. But my manager wife and myself are looking for a club. Any takers?”
Ten weeks later he posted: “St George Dragons. On way.”
Luke will now be named first-string hooker for St George Illawarra’s round-one game against Wests Tigers on March 15, with 21-year-old Fijian international Joe Lovodua a chance for a bench spot.
Reunited With the little bro Cam. #RedV @NRL_Dragons #SaltnPeppa pic.twitter.com/tNcjcony3y
— issac luke (@issacluke_14) November 19, 2019
St George Dragons
— issac luke (@issacluke_14) November 17, 2019
On way ✊ðŸ½
Late last year, when asked about Luke, McInnes said he told Dragons officials: “He’s one of the best hookers of the last 20 years, he’s a good friend of mine and I think he’ll bring something to the team.”
Dragons head of athletic performance Nathan Pickworth said a time frame for McIness’ return to play was still unclear.
“Cam has suffered a medium to high-grade MCL injury to his left knee,” Pickworth said. “We were reviewing with the specialist yesterday and getting a few scans.
“Typically, the return to play time frame for this is anywhere between six and 12 weeks.
“The specifics of that time will be determined by how quickly the ligament tightens up.
“Once we have an idea of how quickly the ligament will tighten we can reassess later this week and be more specific around his return-to-play time frame.”
Pickworth also updated injury concerns over Saints players Matt Dufty (fractured cheekbone) and Korbin Sims (suspected broken arm).
“‘Duf’ copped a nasty fracture to his cheekbone putting his body on the line for us on the weekend. It was a real shame to see him go down,” Pickworth said.
“He had surgery Tuesday night to stabilise the fracture. Typically, the return-to-play on these ones is four weeks.
“Korbin seems to have dodged a bullet. His X-rays and CT have shown no new fractures. He is still quite sore so we have a follow-up MRI scan Wednesday and a meeting with the specialist this afternoon.
“Once we have gone through those investigations we will be able to determine the exact course of action and when he will be back on the park.”
After the Nines, McGregor spoke about the injury toll.
“Unfortunately we have a couple of injuries which isn’t ideal going into the start of the season,” he said. “Cam said he fell awkward on it and got a bit of a twist. It’s the downside of rugby league but it’s a contact sport,” he said.
SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS
Dependable Dragon Cameron McInnes is out until at least Round 3 — and possibly Round 9 — in horror news for 11.4 per cent of SuperCoaches. McInnes was a popular top 50 buy after securing dual position status due to confirmation he would start at hooker and switch to back row when recruit Issac Luke came on, meaning 80 minutes for McInnes.
However, McInnes is now an obvious sell and Luke could be a SuperCoach winner as he appears set for big game time in the No. 9 jersey. That said, it would take a brave SuperCoach to steer away from the popular buys at hooker including Cameron Smith, Damien Cook, Blayke Brailey and Apisai Koroisau.
Luke’s biggest effect on SuperCoach could be snaring the goal kicking duties off Zac Lomax, who would plummet from his rank as the ninth most popular player at 30.9 per cent ownership if the news was confirmed (although it’s unlikely).
In terms of cheapies, bottom dollar bargain Joe Lovodua is now set for a bench spot in Round 1.
This fleet-footed Fijian flyer represented the Bati at the 2017 World Cup and is a talent to watch. Lovodua joined St George Illawarra’s development player squad ahead of the 2018 season following several seasons in the Dragons’ junior representative pathways.
Lovodua was promoted to the Dragons’ top 30 squad ahead of the 2020 season after signing a one-year extension. More Lovodua in our Cheapie Bible.