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South Sydney desperately hope Adam Reynolds and John Sutton will be able to tackle St George Illawarra on Monday night as the premiers digest the shock departure of Issac Luke and try to revive their flagging NRL title defence.
The Rabbitohs admit they were stunned to learn on Friday that Luke would leave at the end of the season to take up a three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors.
Sympathetic coach Michael Maguire agreed to grant Luke a release from the final two years of his contract, with the homesick hooker citing a burning desire to play in front of his father George as the prime reason for wanting to return home.
“Madge is very passionate. He’s put a lot of time into me in becoming the man I am today and I thank Madge for that,” said the New Zealand Test star.
“But in the same sentence, he doesn’t want to stand in the way of me going home to my family and I’m very happy he’s done that.
“It’s something I’ve been thinking about since the Four Nations.
“The opportunity to be able to play in front of my family and to be with them as well was on my mind.”
“Obviously the last month I haven’t been playing the best as I can and that’s what’s been sitting on my shoulders.
“But now I’m glad it’s over and I can focus on Monday.”
Luke’s impending departure comes on top of losing representative forwards Sam Burgess and Ben Te’o to European rugby and retired wingers Lote Tuqiri and Nathan Merritt following last year’s drought-breaking premiership triumph.
The Rabbitohs also released Apisai Koroisau, who deputised for the suspended Luke in the grand final victory over Canterbury, to Penrith.
Strike forward Tom Burgess said it came as a total surprise to teammates when Luke sat them down to advise them of his decision before training on Friday morning.
“There were no tears, but they were very heartfelt words to the boys. It obviously wasn’t a light decision,” Burgess said.
“It was a shock, but everyone’s got to move on. The team can’t always stay together. That’s what happens in rugby league really.”
A raft of NRL hookers are coming off contract at season’s end, including Gold Coast’s Beau Falloon, Warrior Nathan Friend and Sydney Rooster Matt McIlwrick.
But Luke urged the Rabbitohs to re-sign young gun Cameron McInnes rather than make a play for any established rakes from rival clubs.
“I know he wants to stay,” Luke said.
Souths are coming to terms with Luke’s departure while also trying to reverse a worrying three-game losing streak against an in-form Dragons side chasing seven wins in a row.
With such at stake, Burgess expects Maguire and Souths’ medical staff to give Reynolds and Sutton until game day to prove they’re ready to make their comebacks.
Reynolds was expected to be sidelined for more than three months after suffering a knee injury in the Rabbitohs’ controversial Easter win over the Bulldogs.
“I think they’ll give him the best chance to get to the game. I think it will be a late call really,” Burgess said.
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