South Sydney coach Michael Maguire would not be drawn on the reasons behind Issac Luke’s surprise axing on Friday but refused to deny it was for disciplinary reasons.

With just two weeks to go before the Rabbitohs’ first finals series since 2007 – their best chance to win premiership No.21 since 1989 – Maguire made the decision to stand down one of the most crucial members of his attacking arsenal.

It is a season-defining call from a man who has worked wonders on a team that has been described as the best South Sydney outfit to take the field in 50 years – generating hope among a success-starved fanbase that they could end a 41-year premiership drought.

It’s understood the primary reason behind Luke’s dumping was a dust-up with a veteran teammate at training earlier in the week.

That followed on from a recent three-week suspension for a dangerous lifting tackle.

Maguire, a strict disciplinarian, simply described his reasons behind Luke’s banishment from the Eels game as “performance-based” but was cagey when asked if it related to form of a disciplinary issue.

“My biggest thing that I’ll say about that is the players, the staff, we’re building a very strong culture here on performance,” Maguire said.

“Performance on and off the park. Issac knows what he needs to do to get back into the team.

“The players have (set a high standard this year). The players themselves are creating that.

“They’ve built a very hardworking culture here and they’re really enjoying their training, along with Issac.

“He’s a big part of what we’re creating here and it’s just about keeping that standard across the park and that’s what we’re doing.”

Luke’s return to the Rabbitohs starting line-up has coincided with a two-game losing streak against top-eight sides Manly and Cronulla.

In Saturday night’s 20-7 loss to the Sharks, Luke played just 38 minutes – 11 less than bench hooker Nathan Peats who has taken his No.9 jersey for the Parramatta match.

Maguire was vague when asked what exactly was required for the New Zealand international, who will turn out for North Sydney on Sunday, to return to first grade but wouldn’t rule out a recall for their round 26 clash against Newcastle.

“Issac knows what he needs to do but that’s between he and I, and I’m sure he’ll go out and do that,” he said.

“I always look at each performance. If he goes and performs very well there’s no reason why he can’t be back in next week.”

Maguire backed youngster Peats, who did a stellar job filling in while Luke was suspended, to again step in successfully against Parramatta.

“Peatsy’s got a different style of game (to Luke),” Maguire said.

“He controls the game very well, he can understand the game very well (but) so does Issac.

“I’m very lucky to have two players who are very capable at No.9.

“To be able to have Peatsy there, he’s been doing a good job for us the last couple of months. He deserves his opportunities.”