Frequent fishing expeditions on a boat have been credited as the key factor in North Queensland Cowboys star Heilum Luki's remarkable recovery from a devastating ACL tear. The 24-year-old forward re-injured his knee ligament in 2024, just two years after initially suffering the same injury in 2022.
Shared Recovery Journey
It has now emerged that the promising rugby league player utilized fishing trips with fellow young talent Tom Chester - who also tore his ACL within weeks of Luki - to facilitate his rehabilitation process. Both athletes were compelled to sit out the entire 2025 NRL season, creating significant frustration for coach Todd Payten during what proved to be a challenging campaign.
Career Challenges
Luki has experienced considerable disappointment on the football field throughout his intermittent career. Despite completing five seasons in the National Rugby League, he has been limited to just 57 first-grade matches due to persistent injury setbacks.
With teammate Tom Chester simultaneously recovering from an ACL injury, the two emerging stars recognized they needed to discover a new pastime to support their rehabilitation. The pair invested in a six-metre fibreglass vessel and have subsequently spent countless hours fishing off the Queensland coastline.
Creating a Digital Presence
They have also established a social media profile under the username 'offlandersnq' to document their maritime adventures. Luki has compiled an impressive portfolio of catches over the past twelve months, including a long-nose emperor, humphead wrasse, and southern saratoga.
Therapeutic Benefits
The 24-year-old forward explained how these exciting excursions assisted both him and Chester on their respective paths to recovery. 'It was good for us to get away, give us the opportunity to switch off and give our minds a break from footy,' he told AAP. 'Then, when we're back in the club and in the facility, we're training hard and competing hard on everything.'
Return to the Field
Luki has since made his competitive return, participating in North Queensland's recent trial match against Canterbury. The rising star scored a try during the game, which occurred 413 days after he sustained his most recent ACL injury.
Team Implications
Meanwhile, second-rower Jeremiah Nanai is expected to miss the opening two months of the upcoming season. This development positions Luki as a crucial figure for the North Queensland Cowboys as they prepare for their 2026 campaign.
The Cowboys will face the Newcastle Knights to launch the 2026 NRL season in Las Vegas, marking the third consecutive year that the competition's opening match will take place in the popular American city.
