Veteran hooker Issac Luke would be happy to start life in the real world if his NRL career doesn’t extend into 2021.
The 33-year-old former New Zealand international is a mid-season recruit at Brisbane, having joined the Broncos from St George Illawarra in June.
While he would be happy to extend his time at Red Hill into next year if possible, a 2020 season where he has had to spend most of his time away from his family has taken its toll.
“I am keen to play on but it’s up to the club,” Luke said.
“If it doesn’t work out I’m happy with that, I’m ready to retire.
“I’ve got a young family and I’m missing out on a lot of their stuff being in the bubble.”
The Broncos are Luke’s fourth NRL club after nine seasons with South Sydney, four years in Auckland with the Warriors and a brief stay at the Dragons.
The Rabbitohs, where he missed out on the 2014 grand-final win due to suspension, is his rugby league home.
But Luke says he always planned to finish his career in Brisbane.
Sadly for club and player, his time at the Broncos hasn’t gone smoothly.
In seven appearances in a Brisbane jersey, Luke has tasted victory just once as the former powerhouse club slips dangerously close to their first wooden spoon.
A victory over the Dragons would be especially fulfilling, particularly with good friend Dean Young taking over the reins following Paul McGregor’s exit last week as head coach.
“If we beat them I’ll make sure he knows about it,” the 2008 World Cup winner said.
Luke has also issued a message of support to head coach Anthony Seibold.
The Broncos head coach is still in quarantine after leaving the club’s COVID bubble to deal with a family matter and has also had to seek legal advice after vicious online rumours surfaced last week.
Seibold returns to the club on Monday after this weekend’s match but Luke says he’s been kept involved in the team’s preparations during his isolation period.
“We make sure that we’re sending him messages and he’s getting out what he needs through the other coaches and personally I feel for him and I know he has our support.”