Cowboys youngster Heilum Luki locked in for tough pre-season

The Cowboys are in the middle of the toughest, most intense pre-season in recent time as coach Todd Payten makes his mark on a club desperate for another run to the finals, and Heilum Luki is in the thick of it.

HEILUM Luki is under no illusion as to the challenge he faces in fighting his way into the Cowboys’ NRL squad.

As the players tell it, the Cowboys are in the middle of the toughest, most intense pre-season in recent history, as coach Todd Payten makes his mark on a club desperate for another run to the finals.

And Cairns product Luki is soaking up everything he can as he puts in the work.

Heilum Luki . Picture: Alix Sweeney

The back-rower, 19, has been in North Queensland’s development system for the past few years, and is learning from the best as he follows the pathway to what he hopes is a big future in the NRL.

What’s changed, other than the intensity, is the intricate detail in which he is learning his position.

“It’s learning a lot more about the technical side of everything,” said Luki, who generally plays on the right edge. “It’s more technical — the lines we run, reading the play, knowing exactly where to go and when.”

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Everything Luki has, he’s earned, and it’s that mindset that has served as his fuel through a hugely disruptive 2020 and through an intense pre-season in Townsville.

“It’s such a higher-intensity training than what I’ve done before,” Luki said of this pre-season. “It’s a lot more professional (approach) in what we do. It’s been good. I’ve kept up with it.

“There have been a few tough days in there but you have to expect that.”

With limited rugby league exposure in a COVID-interrupted year, Luki turned to rugby union to get valuable time on the field.

While a code swap is not exactly encouraged by any NRL club, Luki’s short time playing for Wanderers in FNQ Rugby has made him a better player since his return to league.

Heilum Luki played a few games for Wanderers in FNQ Rugby in 2020. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

He gained more match fitness, consistent contact, and an opportunity to show his other attributes — such as pace in open space and strong footwork — in his short-lived stint in the 15-man code, which he then applied for the Northern Pride’s teams in the six-week Lightning Challenge. It also gave Luki, who is now based in Townsville, another opportunity to work on his defence.

While he is trying to improve every facet of his game, Luki identified defence as the area that needs the most attention if he is to fulfil the ultimate goal of fighting his way in to Payten’s preferred 17.

“There’s always going to be areas to improve but I think my defensive side of the game is the part I have to focus on more,” Luki said.

He said his first goal was to secure a spot in the Northern Pride’s Intrust Super Cup squad, and do enough to impress coach Ty Williams to lock down a starting position.

Heilum Luki. Picture: Evan Morgan

From there, it’s a matter of developing his game in one of the premier rugby league competitions, and forcing his way back to Cowboys HQ.

“At the moment, (the goal is) just fighting for that spot in the Queensland Cup, to hold my position there and play really good footy,” Luki said.

“A debut would be the ultimate goal but I’ve got to work hard and show them what I can do.” Luki will get his first chance this month.

The Cowboys face the Blackhawks in a trial at Ayr on February 13 then play the Broncos in their only formal pre-season clash in Redcliffe on February 27.

Originally published as Cowboys youngster Heilum Luki locked in for tough pre-season