26 Facts About Thomas Leuluai

Thomas James Leuluai was born on 22 June 1985 and is a New Zealand professional rugby league coach who is the assistant coach of the Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League and a former professional rugby league footballer who played for New Zealand at international level.

Thomas Leuluai played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL in two separate spells in Auckland, the London Broncos in the Super League, before moving to Wigan for the first of his two spells at the club.

Thomas Leuluai was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan and Maori descent.

Thomas Leuluai started his professional career at National Rugby League side New Zealand Warriors in 2003.

Thomas Leuluai became the second youngest player ever to represent the Kiwis when he made his debut that year.

In 2004, Thomas Leuluai signed a contract with Super League side London Broncos as a replacement for Dennis Moran who had left the Broncos to join the Wigan Warriors.

Thomas Leuluai spent two years at the club playing 38 games and scoring 19 tries.

Thomas Leuluai's contract was not extended and he agreed to join the Wigan Warriors for the 2007 season.

Thomas Leuluai agreed a three-year deal with Wigan Warriors in December 2006 after months of speculation and rumours.

Thomas Leuluai would replace Australians Michael Dobson and partner Trent Barrett in the halves during the 2007 season.

On 9 May 2008 Thomas Leuluai played for New Zealand against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the Centenary Test, which took place 100 years to the day after the New Zealand 'All Golds' first met Australia.

Thomas Leuluai 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 in the victory over St Helens at Old Trafford.

Thomas Leuluai then claimed two more braces in consecutive matches, firstly against Barrow Raiders in the Challenge Cup fourth round, then against Harlequins in Round 14 of 2011's Super League XVI.

Thomas Leuluai was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin Match against England at Headingley on 10 June 2011.

Thomas Leuluai played as a hooker in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Leeds Rhinos, scoring a try at Wembley Stadium.

In November 2011 Thomas Leuluai announced that he had signed a three-year contract with the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2013.

In 2016 he was linked with a move back to Super League with St Helens, However, in July 2016, Thomas Leuluai announced he would be re-joining the Wigan Warriors in 2017.

Thomas Leuluai suffered a broken jaw in Round 11 of the Super League just six months after suffering the same injury playing for New Zealand.

Thomas Leuluai made his comeback just four weeks later against St Helens, scoring his second try of the season against Wakefield Trinity.

Thomas Leuluai played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull FC at Wembley Stadium.

Thomas Leuluai scored his third and final try of the season against Castleford Tigers in the sixth round of the Super 8's.

Thomas Leuluai played in the 2018 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.

On 28 May, Thomas Leuluai played for Wigan in their 2022 Challenge Cup Final win over Huddersfield.

On 1 September 2022, it was announced that Thomas Leuluai would be retiring at the end of the 2022 season, to replace Lee Briers as the assistant manager.

Thomas Leuluai announced that he will lead out New Zealand in a World Cup warm up match, against Leeds Rhinos on 8 October 2022, before joining the coaching staff at New Zealand.

In 2023, Thomas Leuluai came out of retirement to play for Wigan RU with fellow assistant coach Sean O'Loughlin, scoring on his debut.