Legendary Tommy Leuluai hopes his body holds up to help Wigan to one final Super League glory - and a few more of his famous hits.
The Kiwi scrum-half, 37, announced yesterday he’ll be retiring at the end of the season. He’s been out for two months with a calf injury but returns on Friday as second-placed Wigan finish the regular campaign against Catalans. They then have a home semi-final next Friday for a place at Old Trafford.
After Grand Final success with Wigan in 2010 and 2018, the World Cup winner hopes to sign off a glittering career with a third Super League title. Warriors captain Leuluai said: “Everyone wants to finish like that and I’d love it.
“Not for myself, really. More so for the group. We’ve really had a fantastic year and turned things around. I just think it’d be a fitting end for everyone at the club. But I’m happy whichever way it goes. I’m really proud of them.”
Leuluai battled back from a knee injury to play a significant part in Wigan’s Challenge Cup final win in May. And now he bids to be equally influential in their Old Trafford push. He said: “I’m coming off the bench on Friday so I’m getting a bit of a run-out before the play-offs. Fingers crossed the body holds up. It feels good at the moment so I'm looking forward to it.”
Wigan stunned leaders St Helens 30-10 on their last home outing to showcase their title potential. After a weakened side lost at Hull KR on Monday, Leuluai admitted: “It is important we perform. If we want to win it all, there’s some things in that game against St Helens we need to carry on.
“Our goalline defence was outstanding and if we want to win a Grand Final we need to make sure we keep doing that all the way through.”
And that’s where Leuluai comes into his own. Since joining Wigan from London in 2007, the diminutive player has become renowned as Super League’s hardest pound-for-pound tackler with his bone-crunching hits. Asked what he’ll miss most when he retires - those tackles, creating a try or scoring himself - the Kiwi admitted: “I’d have to say the hits!
“I enjoy that side of the game - defending. But I’ve loved it here. It’s been an amazing ride. The one thing I can take away from all of it is the friendships I’ve made. The trophies and medals are cool, too. But if I had to swap, I definitely wouldn’t swap the people I've met and friendships I’ve made.”
