Luke gone for 6-8 weeks
Frustrated South Sydney coach John Lang will rely on "classic old-style hooker" Beau Falloon to get the Rabbitohs to the NRL finals with Issac Luke ruled out for up to two months.
Star hooker Luke will miss 6-8 weeks of action despite avoiding surgery on his injured shoulder.
The 23-year-old dislocated his shoulder at training on Tuesday but MRI scans have determined he will not require an operation.
The loss of the Kiwi international is a massive blow to the fifth-placed Rabbitohs, whose campaign to make the finals will now be played almost entirely without him.
Luke is currently running second in the Dally M Medal count after his superb form in 2010.
"He's been having a terrific year and was a big shot for the Dally M," Lang told AAP.
"He's been our best player this year and having a great season and to hurt it at training's so frustrating, but that's just the way it is."
Falloon, 23, will be the Rabbitohs' back-up but is unlikely to play 80 minutes with Jason Clark, Jamie Simpson and Luke Capewell also in the frame to spend time at dummy half.
"He's a classic old-style hooker," Lang said of Falloon.
"He's a strong defender, he's quick and strong out of dummy half, he's got a nice pass both sides, he can kick a ball.
"He hasn't got the flair of Issac, I don't think I've ever seen another hooker that has.
"The running game that Issac's got, it's the best I've seen.
"I know Beau will do his bit, he'll do a good job but he's not Issac Luke."
Lang, though, is adamant Souths will be in the top eight come September.
"If we fell out of contention while Issac was away it would be a very poor excuse," he said.
"You can't rely on one person.
"I think everybody's got to pick it up a little bit and hopefully make sure we're still in the finals when Issac gets back."
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