Why Luke Thompson, perhaps the best prop in the world, can save Canterbury’s ailing season
In his first interview since being released by St Helens, the man touted by some as the best prop in the world reveals he’s been studying English players who have thrived in the NRL, so he can emulate their success from game one.
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Luke Thompson has declared he will be ready for the NRL in just 28 days after answering the SOS that could save the Bulldogs season.
Speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph from the UK after signing the deal that will give every Bulldogs fan hope, Thompson revealed his mission to ‘lift’ the Bulldogs from the NRL floor would begin on Monday when he starts a COVID forced isolation in a Melbourne hotel room that has been converted into a gym.
Regarded as the best prop in the English Super League, Thompson will fly out of the UK on Saturday after securing a release from St Helens to join the Bulldogs immediately.
“I want to be on the field as soon as possible,’’ Thompson said.
“I have to do two-weeks in quarantine but the club has organised a gym so I can get straight into it. It is all come about pretty quickly because of the coronavirus and I am very excited to get the chance to come over and play football again.’’
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With Thompson set to spend 14 days in isolation after being granted a special VISA to enter Australia, the Bulldogs have installed a state-of-the-art gym in a room at Melbourne’s Crown hotel in a bid to fast-track the forward’s debut.
In an NRL first, Thompson will join the club for training sessions by way of video-link during his forced fortnight of isolation.
He will also have all his meals cooked and delivered by a nutritionist.
“I have to make sure I get through as best I can and I have to do everything I can to prepare for football while I am there,’’ Thompson said.
“I guess it won’t be too much different to what I have been doing the last 12 weeks in isolation here. Canterbury are going to set me up with a gym and I will do the best with what I have got.’’
A signing that could transform the Bulldogs into a final’s force and save Dean Pay’s job, Thompson is hoping to make his debut for the club in round nine when the Bulldogs take on the Broncos.
“I have been keeping myself fit over here,’’ Thompson said. “I have been doing my own training and have a gym here at home. I have been doing everything I can really. I have also been going to a field nearby and doing running work. I am feeling fit and refreshed from the break. There has been no contact and I am really looking forward to getting back into it. I will do everything I can while in isolation and then I reckon I will be good to go after a couple of full-weeks with the boys.”
“We are thrilled we have been able to bring Luke to the Bulldogs in 2020,’’ said Bulldogs chairwoman Lynne Anderson.
“When we signed him earlier this year we asked the question but got a very firm no which we respected. The COVID-19 global impact offered us a slither of opportunity particularly when the UK Super League was put on hold indefinitely. We have worked really hard over the last few weeks to surmount many hurdles to make this happen. Hilly and I have spent many late nights on calls with UK but all the hard yards were worthwhile in the end. We are very grateful to St Helens for facilitating this. It’s a huge boost to our young team, and indeed our entire Club especially our fans. Luke is not just a quality player he’s a great kid. The experience he brings is a huge bonus for our young guns. “
Thompson will be out to replicate his Super League feats against the likes of Jason Taumalolo and Payne Haas.
“I just want to come over and play my game,’’ Thompson said in his first interview.
“I am going to work hard, train and let my performances on the field take care of themselves on the back of that. I have not played for a long time so I am just looking forward to playing again. I am going to do my best and give the team a lift anyway I can.’’
The 95kg prop is hoping to prove as successful as Burgess and Graham in the NRL.
“I really admire those blokes being English and what they have done,” Thompson said.
“If I could do anything they have done it would be great. I have had a close look at those that have been successful over there and they have had a great impact on the clubs they have been at. That is what I am aiming for.”
Thompson admitted the challenge of proving himself in the NRL prompted his move to Belmore. Called the best prop in the world by now Titans coach Justin Holbrook in 2019, Thompson declared his desire to play against the best.
“It was a tough decision,’’ Thomson said.
“It is not easy deciding to move to the other side of the world, away from your family and friends but it was the right thing for myself and my career. I want to be the best I can be at whatever I do and I felt I needed to come out there to be that. I need to prove that against the best in the NRL.’’
Thompson thanked his former club St Helens for allowing him to quit the remainder of his deal to join the Bulldogs early.
“I have to thank St Helens for helping me get to where I am now,’’ Thompson said.
“They have made me the person and the player I am today. I am very saddened to leave there and saddened at the way it as ended. I would have loved to have played again but the world has changed. This isn’t the way I wanted it to finish and I wanted to give the fans a proper farewell. I can’t thank everyone at St Helens enough for what they have done for me.”