Thomas Leuluai hailed ahead of landmark for Wigan Warriors

It will be his 300th game for Wigan if he takes the field to take on Huddersfield – in a game which can secure the League Leaders’ Shield.

The 35-year-old is currently in his second spell with the club, sandwiching four years back at his first outfit, New Zealand Warriors.

And Adrian Lam says Leuluai deserves all the plaudits he gets as he edges in on the landmark. “Tommy is respected very highly here, he’s in our leadership group, I go to him for feedback and even selecting players,” said the coach.

“What he’s brought to this club, as a player and a person, he has led the way.

“He he sets the platform for others to follow.

“He knows he’s getting a bit older, he’s got a year to go and with the way he leads them and his voice at crucial times, he pulls them together.

“But his actions – I thought last weekend was his best game in my time here.” Unlike many halfbacks, Leuluai’s hallmark has been his brutal tackle technique.

“He’s not the tallest of players, he has a bit of broadness, but the way he does it is very difficult because it’s all about the timing,” said Lam.

“Honestly, we show footage in the season and the boys are laughing at the way he cuts opponents in half.”

Full-back Bevan French has enjoyed learning from the 2008 World Cup winner, who is out of contract with Wigan but is expected to play on next season.

“He’s one of the easiest people to go and talk to and learn from,” said French

“He’s so open, he doesn’t say much around training but when he does, he talks at the right time and everyone zones in and listens to what he says.

“If you look at the games, his form has been a big reason we’ve done so well.”

Kick-off tonight is 7.45pm, and it’s live on Sky Sports.

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