Issac Luke has won his second top-level trophy since experiencing the anguish of missing South Sydney’s historic 2014 premiership triumph through suspension.
Luke captained the Rabbitohs to the Auckland Nines title on Sunday, which they won after beating a gutsy Cronulla 18-14 in extra time in a gripping final.
He has since raised Four Nations silverware with New Zealand, but the Kiwi hooker rated the Nines success in front of his countrymen a career highlight.
“This is pretty special because I got the nod to captain in my home country in front of my family,” he said.
“There is no better feeling.”
Asked if it made up for missing out on the 2014 premiership, Issac said: “I left that back in October.
“I look back on how the boys pulled me through that day and use it as inspiration.”
Few clubs named strong squads for what cynics considered a “hit and giggle” Nines tournament due to a hectic pre-season and the horror injury toll at last year’s inaugural tournament.
But Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire took it seriously despite also having the World Club Challenge in the UK and pre-season trials on the horizon.
And it paid off with no injuries registered on their way to collecting a $370,000 winner’s cheque.
“We always like to put a great team out there if they are available,” Maguire said.
“Greg Inglis was very keen to play, but the fact he came back from the Four Nations later we chose to rest him.”
Not that the reigning premiers had it all their own way against the 2014 wooden spooners in a dramatic final.
A no-name Cronulla side sensationally sent the match into extra-time when Valentine Holmes sunk a sideline drop goal conversion after setting up a Jack Bird try in the dying moments.
And at one stage the Sharks held on for 17 straight tackles in extra-time.
Even when the Rabbitohs’ Joel Reddy cracked their line for what looked like the match-winner he was called back for a forward pass.
Cronulla played so well that they looked set to finally exorcise the demons of the 2011 supplements saga by earning their first trophy since the 1979 AMCO Cup.
However, it was 34-year-old Matt King – who came out of retirement for tournament – who got the fairytale ending, crashing over for the match-winner 10 minutes into extra time.
“Matt hasn’t done a whole of training – I am not sure what he wanted to get out of this tournament to be honest,” Maguire laughed.
The Nines injury curse struck Cronulla, with Fa’amanu Brown requiring a knee reconstruction.
Semi-finalists Parramatta lost Ken Edwards (knee), Brad Takairangi (ankle) and Kaysa Pritchard (pectoral).
AAP lc/wf
Brendan
Guest
I disagree. George was one of the players of the tournament and Tom isnt far behind him these days. Imagine the likes of Sutton and G Stewart playing the Nines, its tailor made for guys with the silky skills they possess.
duecer
Guest
Terrible timing with the final of the tennis and Asia cup on the same weekend taking all the glory, leaving Willie to try and grab a headline or two!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
It was a full during the nz matches you expect people to sit in the same seat for 10hrs all day
Muzz
Guest
Should be a great game, Walter. Souths will be buzzing and full of confidence. I best describe their game last year as a power game.It will be interesting to see how they fair without their 2 main power players in S Burgess and Te'o. I'd expect Maguire to challenge their replacements to step up and fill this void so they can employ the same playing system.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Yeah(sigh!) the promoters and NRL were really complaining with 80,000 in attendance over the two days.When the Warriors were knocked out,many in the crowd called it a day.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Were the uniforms baffling? They were different designs but every team played in their own colours.
Alex Green
Roar Guru
I think you've pretty much got the best options available to Flanno there. I don't think you can drop Feki, and Holmes has shown so much potential that he simply has to be there (plus Flanno indicated in the press conference he might look at swapping Holmes and Gordon during matches), so Gagan and Brown have to bide their time. Before the nine's I would've sent Ayshford to park footy, but he was sensational. I'd still like to see him prove his worth in NSW cup, so he's out. Bird has a massive future and I think showed he's up for it, I would have him at centre but Flanno won't throw him straight into the fire. Leutele has started forming a good combo with Feki, so it will be him and Beale. The forwards are spot on and Gal should be in front row, but I don't think it will happen - Gal in 13, Taga to start at prop and Heino on the bench. The utility bench spot is another tough one, but I think Murphy will get a game later in the year. I think Stanley might get it for versatility, although if Ennis has any niggling injuries Politini was good in the nines and might get the nod.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Potential make up of the team come round 1... i'll give it a crack and i think Gal needs to move to the front row. 1. Gordon 2. Feki / Gagan 3. Beale/ Leutele 4. Bird/ Ayshford 5. Holmes/ Brown 6. Barba 7. Robson 8. Fifita 9. Ennis 10.Gallen 11.Lewis 12.Graham 13.Heighington Bench : Tagatese Tupou Bukuya Politini / Stanley/ Murphy
Alex Green
Roar Guru
Definitely showed there is scope to include women's games with some men's fixtures, I found myself getting right into it supporting the roos! I'd rather watch that at half time or as a curtain raiser to an NRL game, Origin, or International than some terrible washed up band.
Alex Green
Roar Guru
Ayshford and Prior finally played well in Sharks colours, funny what facing a season in the NSW cup can do! Holmes, Bird, Sauiluma showed they're up for it out wide and with Beale, Leutele, Ayshford, along with Gagan, there will be serious competition for the centre and wing positions. I think Murphy and Brown showed that there is (somewhat more potent) life after Robson in the halves, and Politini will be good back up for Ennis.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yeah some of those hits were brutal.
Renegade
Roar Guru
It's a good problem to have though.... so much depth. The future of the club looks very very bright both on and off the field! I would keep Gordon at fullback this year and have Holmes rotating every now and then from the wing similar to how the Roosters transitioned Mini and RTS.... Holmes to take over next year. But then who do you leave out on the Wing..... Feki has been brilliant the last two years, Gagan had an incredible debut in his handful of games last year before injury, Mitch Brown is there as well. And then the Centres we've got Ricky, Bird, Beale and even Ayshford threw his name into the mix over the weekend. The number 6 will obviously be Barba but we've got a very capable back up in Fa'amanu Brown. Although halfback is our weakest position, there's plenty of depth there too with Robson, Stanley and Todd Murphy who showed a lot of potential in taking control of games through his kicking. Hopefully all three bring the best out in each other. I have no idea how the make up of our backline will be come round 1 against the Raiders. Only safe bets for me are Gordon will be fullback, Barba will be five-eighth and Robson will have first crack in the 7 jersey. There is a lot of talent and depth though so i'm pretty confident it will be a strong side named.
The eye
Guest
What about the Sharks backline for the season opener against the Raiders ? Gordon Holmes Bird Leutele ...problem Feki,Gagan,Browne,Beale
The Barry
Roar Guru
Wade was outstanding. I'm expecting a big year for him. Only 24, only had a couple of seasons in the backrow and has gone through all the ASADA scandal. When the NSW selectors decide it's time to move on from Lewis, Watmough, Hoffman, Stewart, Gallen as backrowers he is a ready made replacement.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
How good was the womens international, Those girls are serious footy players and deserve more recognition.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Actually you've gotta google that YouTube sensation from th states who did videos with Katy Perry and fiddy cent miming their songs I think he's names Keenan who sang up up cronulla. It's hilarious
James
Guest
Empty seats and baffling team uniforms...and no coverage on FTA TV. Nice.
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The bunnies can celebrate for the moment but it is a long season ahead starting with the Charity Shield this weekend.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I saw some hilarious ones. Plus some bloke flashing a brown eye at about 11am on day one blind drunk
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Up up cronulla. Possibly one of the more well known and popular team songs