AS someone who thrives on going somewhat unnoticed on the field, adulation from the terraces is not something Luke Yates is accustomed to.
However, that is exactly what he has been getting since joining Warrington Wolves in the summer – and he is loving every second.
Yates’ arrival at The Halliwell Jones Stadium has seen him become the subject of the latest earworm of a chant that has swept through the fanbase and as a result has echoed around pretty much every ground the team have played in since.
To the tune of Bruce Springsteen’s hit “Dancing In The Dark,” the words are apt – Luke Yates has indeed been on fire while running through the middle of the park.
And as the initial lyrics go, you can’t start a fire without a spark and the Australian’s gritty efforts have often been just that with Warrington having won seven of the nine games he has featured in since his move from Huddersfield Giants was brought forward.
“The chant is amazing,” he said.
“It was the Wigan game when I first heard it, and I thought they were just singing the song then one of the lads told me they were singing it about me.
“I had a few fans send me some videos of it and it’s incredible to see.
“Then at Elland Road, standing there listening to them singing it – it’s amazing support and a bit different to where I’ve been previously.
“Some guys got a flag made that I signed last week – you can tell they’re behind us and enjoying what we’re doing.
“I’m really enjoying it. Sam (Burgess) simplified my role when I came in as I’d only trained once or twice before playing, but I’m enjoying being able to just focus on my role and executing it as best I can.
“The connection within the team at the moment is really good and I’m loving being here.”
Having carved out a reputation as one of Super League’s best defensive players through his previous spells at Huddersfield, Salford Red Devils and London Broncos, Yates has shown on plenty of occasions while opposition players simply hate running into him since his mid-season move.
However, he’s also had plenty more opportunities to show what he can do with the ball as well as without it – something he’s relishing.
“I’m happy to do whatever my role is, but we’re completing a lot higher here so we’re turning the ball over in better field position,” he said.
“That means I’m getting to carry the ball a little more which is great, but I hang my hat on the defensive side of the game.
“You don’t want to forget what got you to the dance so whatever my role is, I’m happy to do it.”
Another lauded quality of the 29-year-old is his leadership, and his arrival certainly gives the club’s promising crop of young players another healthy example to follow.
Having now had the chance to train and play with several of them, Yates has found their attitude refreshing.
“I’ve found that really different to where I’ve been previously – how driven and enthusiastic the young lads are here,” he said.
“Players like Arron Lindop and Adam Holroyd really stick out for me but all of them, they’re not here to make up the numbers.
“They want to learn and get better and they want to play, which makes our training more competitive.
“When we do our 13-on-13 drills, it’s really competitive because these guys want to make an impression.
“We’ve seen Cai (Taylor-Wray) coming in and starring straight away. There’s a few lads waiting in the wings for their opportunity and when it comes, they’ll take it.”
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