League
1News

Unwanted Kiwis hooker Issac Luke's attempt to play for Ireland at World Cup revealed

October 9, 2017
Warriors hooker Issac Luke. Vodafone Warriors v  St George Illawarra Dragons. NRL Rugby League. Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, New Zealand. Friday 19 May 2017 © Copyright Photo: Bruce Lim / www.Photosport.nz

Warriors hooker and former Kiwis player Issac Luke attempted to keep his ambitions of playing in this year's Rugby League World Cup alive by opting to play for Ireland.

The 30-year-old was a shock omission from David Kidwell's 24-man Kiwis squad for this year's event after the New Zealand coach chose 21-year-old Newcastle Knights Hooker Danny Levi instead.

The call left Luke scrambling for options and the 37-Test hooker had one - Ireland.

"We got a list from the NRL telling us who qualifies and Issac Luke, who qualifies through his grandparents, put his hands up," Ireland coach Mark Ashton told Triple M .

However, Luke was unable to get a call-up to the team.

"We're a bit gutted [we couldn't select him] because he didn't get the paperwork in on time," Ashton said.

"I think he thought he'd probably play for New Zealand and by the time he came back to us the chance has gone.

"But he wants to play for Ireland one day."

Luke's revealed switch attempt comes at the end of a turbulent week for rugby league's Oceanic giants after the Kiwis were gutted with the departures of Jason Taumalolo, David Fusitu'a, Sio Siua Taukeiaho and Manu Ma'u - all of whom made the shock switch to play for Tonga.

2016 NRL grand final star Andrew Fifita then turned his back on Australia after being named in the squad to also represent the small Pacific Island nation.

Roosters playmaker Luke Keary was also eligible for Ireland but chose to undergo a hip surgery instead.

Ireland World Cup Squad

Liam Finn (C), Scott Grix, James Hasson, Kyle Amor, Liam Kay, Will Hope, Oliver Roberts, Ed Chamberlain, George King, Toby King, Joe Keyes, Joe Philbin, Jack Higginson, Anthony Mullally, Tyrone McCarthy, Brad Singleton, Micky McIlorum, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Api Pewhairangi, Matty Hadden, Shannon McDonnell, Casey Dunne, James Kelly, Alan McMahon

SHARE ME