Thomas Leuluai
Encyclopedia
Thomas Leuluai is a New Zealand professional rugby league
footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors
in the Super League
. His position is at half-back. Leuluai was a member of the 2008 World Cup
winning New Zealand team.
His father is former New Zealand international James Leuluai
, who scored two tries for Hull in the 1985 Challenge Cup final 6 weeks before Thomas was born. His brother Macgraff Leuluai
currently plays for Widnes Vikings
, his uncle Phillip Leuluai
plays for Salford City Reds
and his cousin Kylie Leuluai
plays for the Leeds Rhinos
.
side New Zealand Warriors
in 2003. He also played for the Junior Kiwis
. At the time of his debut he was the youngest player to play for the club, coincidentally in the same game Mark Robinson became the oldest player to make his debut for the club.
He had limited first team experience at New Zealand Warriors with competition from New Zealand internationals Stacey Jones
and Lance Hohaia
. He spent most of the 2003 season in the Bartercard Cup
playing for his youth club Otahuhu-Ellerslie
playing 10 games and scoring 5 tries.
At the end of 2004, he left the Warriors after playing 21 first grade games and scoring two tries and kicking 24 goals.
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as a replacement for Dennis Moran
who had left the Broncos to join Wigan
.
He spent two years at the club playing 38 games and scoring 19 tries. Both seasons were affected by injury. In 2005, his season was cut short by a broken ankle while his 2006 campaign was disrupted by a hamstring injury sustained while playing for New Zealand
. His contract was not extended and he agreed to join the Wigan Warriors
for the 2007 season.
and partner Trent Barrett
in the halves during the 2007 season.
Leuluai made his Wigan Super League debut in a 16-10 defeat against Warrington
at the JJB Stadium
on 9 February 2007.
He scored the game winning try against St. Helens at the JJB stadium and scored Wigan's first against Bradford
in the history breaking 31-30 comeback win in the Play Offs.
In April 2009, having made over seventy appearances for the club, Leuluai extended his contract with the Wigan Warriors by three years to last him until the 2012 season.
He helped Wigan to their first Championship since 1998 with a man-of-the-match performance in the 2010 Super League Grand Final
earning him the Harry Sunderland Trophy
.
His 2011 season
started against St Helens RLFC in the opening fixture of the season, with his first try coming a week later at Bradford Bulls
in Round 2. As well as playing in the 2011 World Club Challenge
, Leuluai scored a brace in Round 4 against Salford City Reds
. A try against Hull Kingston Rovers
was followed with another against Crusaders RL in Rounds 10 and 13 respectively. He then claimed two more braces in consecutive matches, firstly against Barrow Raiders
in the Challenge Cup
fourth round, then against Harlequins RL in Round 14 of Super League XVI
.
starting in 2013.
when he made his debut.
On 9 May 2008 Leuluai played for New Zealand
against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Centenary Test representing 100 years to the day that the New Zealand 'All Golds' first met Australia.
In 2008 Leuluai played for New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup
team which won the tournament.
against England
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer who currently plays for the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. His position is at half-back. Leuluai was a member of the 2008 World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
winning New Zealand team.
His father is former New Zealand international James Leuluai
James Leuluai
A'au James Leuluai is a New Zealand former international rugby league player. His favoured position was centre. He is the father of Wigan Warriors and New Zealand international Thomas Leuluai. He is also the uncle of Leeds Rhinos prop Kylie Leuluai....
, who scored two tries for Hull in the 1985 Challenge Cup final 6 weeks before Thomas was born. His brother Macgraff Leuluai
Macgraff Leuluai
Macgraff Leuluai is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the Widnes Vikings. His father, James, and his brother, Thomas, both have represented New Zealand and he is part of a wider Leuluai family that includes Phillip and Kylie....
currently plays for Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
, his uncle Phillip Leuluai
Phillip Leuluai
Phillip Leuluai is a New Zealand rugby league player of Samoan heritage and descent who currently plays for the Salford City Reds in the Super League competition...
plays for Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
and his cousin Kylie Leuluai
Kylie Leuluai
Kylie Leuluai is a professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Leeds Rhinos of Super League...
plays for the Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
.
New Zealand Warriors (2003–2004)
Leuluai started his professional career at National Rugby LeagueNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
side New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in 2003. He also played for the Junior Kiwis
Junior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
. At the time of his debut he was the youngest player to play for the club, coincidentally in the same game Mark Robinson became the oldest player to make his debut for the club.
He had limited first team experience at New Zealand Warriors with competition from New Zealand internationals Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones
Stacey William Jones, ONZM is a professional rugby league footballer, who has been named amongst the greatest New Zealand has ever produced. He currently plays for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the Auckland Rugby League's Phelan Shield...
and Lance Hohaia
Lance Hohaia
Lance Hohaia is a New Zealand rugby league player, he currently plays for St Helens RLFC. In 2008 Hohaia was a member of the World Cup winning New Zealand team.-Early years:...
. He spent most of the 2003 season in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
playing for his youth club Otahuhu-Ellerslie
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
playing 10 games and scoring 5 tries.
At the end of 2004, he left the Warriors after playing 21 first grade games and scoring two tries and kicking 24 goals.
London Broncos (2005–2006)
In 2004, Leuluai signed a contract with Super League side London BroncosLondon Broncos
London Broncos are a professional rugby league football club based in London, England. The club has competed in the Super League competition since its introduction in 1996...
as a replacement for Dennis Moran
Dennis Moran (rugby league)
Dennis Moran, born 22 January 1977 is an Australian rugby league player.While attending Duval High School, Moran played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1995.Dennis Moran plays for the Leigh Centurions in National League One....
who had left the Broncos to join Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
.
He spent two years at the club playing 38 games and scoring 19 tries. Both seasons were affected by injury. In 2005, his season was cut short by a broken ankle while his 2006 campaign was disrupted by a hamstring injury sustained while playing for New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
. His contract was not extended and he agreed to join the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
for the 2007 season.
Wigan Warriors (2007–present)
Leuluai agreed a three year deal with Wigan Warriors in December 2006 after months of speculation and rumours. He would replace Australia Michael DobsonMichael Dobson (rugby)
Michael Dobson is an Australian professional rugby league footballer with the Hull Kingston Rovers club of the Super League competition, in 2009 he won the prestigious Albert Goldthorpe Medal.-Career :...
and partner Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
in the halves during the 2007 season.
Leuluai made his Wigan Super League debut in a 16-10 defeat against Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
at the JJB Stadium
JJB Stadium
The DW Stadium is a sports stadium in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England, that is home to Wigan Athletic football club and Wigan Warriors rugby league club....
on 9 February 2007.
He scored the game winning try against St. Helens at the JJB stadium and scored Wigan's first against Bradford
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in the history breaking 31-30 comeback win in the Play Offs.
In April 2009, having made over seventy appearances for the club, Leuluai extended his contract with the Wigan Warriors by three years to last him until the 2012 season.
He helped Wigan to their first Championship since 1998 with a man-of-the-match performance in the 2010 Super League Grand Final
2010 Super League Grand Final
The 2010 Super League Grand Final was the conclusive and championship-deciding game of Super League XV. Held on Saturday 2 October 2010, at Manchester's Old Trafford stadium, the match was contested by English clubs St Helens and Wigan Warriors...
earning him the Harry Sunderland Trophy
Harry Sunderland Trophy
The Harry Sunderland Trophy is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the Super League Grand Final by the Rugby League Writers' Association. It is named after Harry Sunderland, who was an Australian rugby league football administrator in both Australia and the United Kingdom...
.
His 2011 season
2011 Wigan Warriors season
The 2011 Wigan Warriors season is the club's 16th season in the Super League, since its launch in 1996.Michael Maguire carried on as head coach in what would be his last season, and Ian Lenagan continued as the club's chairman and owner. Wigan reverted to using a solo captain in Sean O'Loughlin,...
started against St Helens RLFC in the opening fixture of the season, with his first try coming a week later at Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in Round 2. As well as playing in the 2011 World Club Challenge
2011 World Club Challenge
The 2011 World Club Challenge was contested by Super League XV champions, Wigan Warriors, and 2010 NRL Premiers, the St. George Illawarra Dragons...
, Leuluai scored a brace in Round 4 against Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
. A try against Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
was followed with another against Crusaders RL in Rounds 10 and 13 respectively. He then claimed two more braces in consecutive matches, firstly against Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
in the Challenge Cup
2011 Challenge Cup
The 2011 Challenge Cup was a rugby league football tournament which began its preliminary stages in January 2011...
fourth round, then against Harlequins RL in Round 14 of Super League XVI
Super League XVI
The 2011 Super League season was the sixteenth season of rugby league football since the Super League format was introduced in 1996...
.
Return to New Zealand
In November 2011 Leuluai announced he had signed a three year contract with the New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
starting in 2013.
New Zealand national team
Leuluai became the second youngest player ever to represent the KiwisNew Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
when he made his debut.
On 9 May 2008 Leuluai played for New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Centenary Test representing 100 years to the day that the New Zealand 'All Golds' first met Australia.
In 2008 Leuluai played for New Zealand in the 2008 World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
team which won the tournament.
International Origin
Leuluai was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin MatchRugby League International Origin Match
The Rugby League International Origin Match is an annual rugby league fixture between the English national side and an Exiles side consisting of foreign players currently playing in the English Super League competition. The match was held for the first time at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds...
against England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
External links
- Wigan Warriors profile
- Thomas Leuluai Wigan Career Page on the Wigan RL Fansite.
- NRL stats