South Sydney Rabbitohs legend Issac Luke opens up about his post-NRL ambitions and plans to transform the Ormeau Shearers

For the first time in nearly two decades, Issac Luke was on the hunt for his next journey; a mission accelerated by a Hollywood icon, his former coach and five choice words.

For the first time in nearly two decades, Issac Luke was on the hunt for his next journey; a mission accelerated by a Hollywood icon, his former coach and five choice words.

“Get your a-- out there.”

Life after professional sport has proven a daunting adjustment for many retiring NRL players.

That search for a fresh purpose away from the adrenaline-charging brotherhood of elite rugby league is a process which has felled many.

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But upon revealing a shock career move and his plans to line up for the Ormeau Shearers again in 2023, Rabbitohs legend Luke has a message for those who will one day chart that path.

Or rather, it is the message his wife Mickayela passed on to him from the moment his final NRL deal with the Brisbane Broncos came to an end: embrace every opportunity that comes.

Issac Luke in action for Ormeau. Picture: Sport-in-Digital

“I’ve got a cut throat wife,” Luke laughed.

“She said you’re not sitting on the couch wondering, you get your a--e out there and you find a job.

“I’ve heard a lot of stories of ex-players and they struggle with this part of their life being able to go find a job and work a lot more hours. Some of them are sparkies or labourers and it’s a different kind of life.

“It just makes you cherish playing footy. (For me) it sort of came at the right time; the Broncos did a really good job the way they structured my contract where I was able to work three days a week … so it helped the transition out of the game.

“I’m just looking for any opportunity to be honest.”

Supporting such a transition has been a focal point in the continued debate over the NRL’s forthcoming pay and funding deal, with the Rugby League Players Association pushing the Australian Rugby League Commission to back a retirement fund.

But for Luke, who was able to retire free of serious and debilitating injuries, the change was eased by opening himself up to a new possibility: coaching.

In addition to his role with Marsden State High School’s football program, the South Sydney champion has announced he and Adam Blair will link with the Maori All Stars as assistants for next year’s clash against the Indigenous All Stars.

Shannon Subritzky Stewart, Coby Black, Issac Luke, Jacob Tinsley, Bailey Trew. Students and teachers at Marsden State High School. Picture, John Gass

He is also set to support 2023 Souths Logan Magpies coach Karmichael Hunt as a defence and wrestling mentor in the Queensland Cup.

Luke admitted coaching was never on his radar, adamant once he called time on his glittering 287-game first grade career he was done with the spotlight.

But in his premiership coach Michael McGuire, as well as actor and Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe, he had two men in his ear who insisted he needed to pass on his insights.

And the veteran of 43 Tests for the Kiwis said throwing himself into the deep end triggered his seamless transition from the game.

“Michael McGuire and Russell are still my mentors,” Luke said.

“With Madge he’s always trying to get me coaching. I said I couldn’t do it and he said ‘you’ve got a lot of knowledge that’s untapped, you need to share that with the world’.

“From then on I’ve been trying to get all my certificates to be ready if the opportunity (to coach at a higher level) comes.

“I have to find my way in grassroots up to (Queensland) Cup and see where that takes me.

“I told myself I would never coach or get into rugby league but I haven’t gone far from it, it’s roped me back in.”

Issac Luke, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hills. Photographer: Liam Kidston

DECIDING TO RETIRE

Coaching now appears to be a long-term ambition for Luke, with goals to one day emulate the Clearys of Penrith and form a father-son duo with 15-year-old fullback Adaquix — who has been signed to the Dolphins junior academy.

However the man himself admits there was a part of him when his time at the Broncos came to an end last year where he felt he could have pushed on for another season.

With his premiership-winning Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds’ signature announced at the powerhouse Queensland club that temptation rose.

Yet having reached every high the game had to offer, from a World Cup triumph to a premiership charge, the wears of being away from family proved to be what had taken its toll.

Issac Luke of the Maori All Stars looks to pass the ball during a Maori Men's All Star training session at Jack Manski Oval on February 17, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“To be perfectly honest, the last time (I played) was great and I could’ve pushed on and tried to negotiate another contract,” Luke said.

“In saying that I missed out on the kids life in my career. I had to watch Ava walk for the first time through my phone on Facetime and had to watch a lot of their footy through videos because I wasn’t able to attend.

“A big reason why I was hanging the boots up was I had a six-year-old daughter and a four-year-old and I get to watch them grow every day.”

REBUILDING THE SHEARERS

Luke was, however, quick to put the boots back on as he took on this year’s Rugby League Gold Coast competition for Ormeau — a club for who he will don the number nine jumper once again in 2023.

Not drawn by the allure of match payments or immediate success, the hooker was left captivated by the passion of the likes of coach Stuart Wilkins and club president John Coulter.

Luke’s maiden campaign — a season of regeneration for his new outfit after they withdrew in 2021 due to player numbers — finished just two wins off a shock finals berth.

They were a team of underdogs coming up against the likes of former NRL stars Greg Bird, Sione Katoa (both Southport), Fetuli Talanoa (Tugun), Ben Hannant (Currumbin) and Zeb Taia (Mudgeeraba).

Issac Luke in action for the Ormeau Shearers. Picture: Sport-in-Digital

Luke revealed he had offers from other clubs on the Glitter Strip to take his talents elsewhere, and in doing so would have earned a pay increase for each clash he took part in.

However he said he and a core group of Shearers — the likes of which included Lorenzo Ma’afu, James Tutuila, and Siuatonga Likiliki — were determined to not only transform Ormeau into a title dark horse but ensure the juniors had an avenue to aspire towards.

“My goal is to get the club in a position where they’re doing well on and off the field, and a big part of that is the culture we try to drive,” Luke said.

“I’ve had a couple of clubs (try to recruit me), but for me it’s not about money.

“If I was to be money hungry I’d go somewhere else … it’s a good incentive, but that (Ormeau’s funds) is for the club to pick other players up.

South Sydney Rabbitoh Issac Luke at Redfern Oval .Picture Gregg Porteous

“I think we’ve got to find players that are keen just to play for us. There’s a lot of temptation to go elsewhere for the money and it’s hard if kids get a decent kind of money and go there for that.

“We have to come together, the culture was good but it could be heaps better. How we are off the field will translate on it, and the more we’re together then the more we’re comfortable on the field.

“Wins will come, but you start form the ground up and get a good culture and bring people to the club who want to come to the club.”