Leuluai: Future is bright
- Thomas Leuluai reflected as the curtain closed on his glittering career on Friday night.
- Leuluai: “There was a period where they were on top and the sending-off made it pretty hard but we kept trying and never gave in.”
- Hear more from Leuluai on Wigan TV HERE.
Warriors Captain Thomas Leuluai gave his full time thoughts as he signed off his Club playing career in front of the DW Stadium crowd.
Leuluai recently announced that after 20 seasons as a Rugby League professional he would retire at the end of the 2022 campaign. In his 12 years with Wigan, the 37-year-old has earned himself a place in Warriors folklore having played 326 games, scoring 74 tries and winning eight major honours.
“I’ve been playing for a long time so it hasn’t snuck up on me, I knew it was coming” he said. “Matt asked me during the week if I was nervous and I wasn’t, I just wanted to play well and perform. It’s a bit disappointing in that sense that we didn’t, there’s a period in the game that I wish we could have again so that will sting for a few days but I learn to get over it. It has sunk in.”
Reflecting on the Semi Final loss, he said: “There’s disappointment but I’m still very proud of the group. We came up against a really good team, you’ve got to give credit to Leeds – they were fantastic. So proud of the group, the game was slipping away and there was a period where they were on top and the sending-off made it pretty hard but we kept trying and never gave in.”
Asked what he is most proud of from 2022, Leuluai said: “That change that everyone is speaking about, no one was speaking about that last year. That’s what makes me proud, we understand that we have a good group of boys there that can’t just play rugby but they’re good people. That’s what makes me quite content, that we have done a decent job of keeping in touch with the fans and the community, I know that if we keep working at that, these results will turn for us.”
Before hanging his boots up completely, Leuluai will also represent New Zealand one last time as they face Leeds in a warm-up to the Rugby League World Cup: “I’m looking forward to it, it’s a huge honour but there’s going to be a bit of work that needs doing before that. When you get into that environment, I love playing for New Zealand so I’m looking forward to being in the group as much as the game.”
He added: “The main thing in the game is that I don’t want to stuff it up for them, so I’ll try my best and I’m looking forward to that but I’m also looking forward to the new challenge Coaching here. It’s something that I’ve thought about for a while and I know they guy next to me [Matt Peet] is going to help me out a lot and I’m looking forward to working under him.
“The future is very bright here and in that sense it gives me great pleasure.”
As a celebration of Leuluai’s career and for his service to Wigan, the Club recently released a limited edition jersey featuring his name “Leuluai” and Heritage Number “997” outlining the Club’s badge as well as elements of his heritage.
In tribute of his Heritage Number, only 997 shirts are available, and you can buy yours today by clicking HERE or visiting our Club Store in person at Robin Park Arena.
2024 Women’s Season Launch
Join us to celebrate the launch of the Betfred Women’s Super League season on Sunday 21st April
Women’s Injury Update
Denis Betts has provided an injury update ahead of the Warriors Women's historic first game at the DW Stadium on Friday night
