He is a good player and gives every ounce of effort that he has BUT he is not good enough with the ball in hand to take us to the next level IMO. If we had a world class 6 to partner him then we could get away with him playing 7 but with a young lad like Tomkins at 6 you need a really good 7 next to him which Tommy isnt. I think we need to find a way of playing him at 9 coming off the bench for Riddell and bring in an experienced 7 if possible. A world class halfback last night would of opened Saints defence up with the amount of posession we had on their try line.

Tommy played well last season. With Barret injured and having three defenders put on him when he did play, Tommy stood up. Prime example would be Catalans away with the step and run and put Paddy away. Lets keep with him and Tomkins for next couple of years. The last long term half back pair we had would be Paul and Edwards. Look at Leeds, they have had McGuire and Burrow for years playing together. I think in a couple of years he will have to move up to hooker and when Piggy goes we can bring in another new half back and Sam will be experienced and we can move forward. We need a nucleous of player long term. Richards, Aisncough, Tomkins brothers, Feka, Prescott, O'Carroll, Mossop, Tommy, Gleeson and Goulding. Blood players such as Farrell and Davies over next couple of seasons.

I agree with RHJ

When Wigan got rid of Higham the mistake they made was in signing a hooker and not a scrum half. TL to 9 with McIllorum as interchange and a classy scrum half is what we needed but since we didn't go that route TL continues to play at 7. The Saints game showed why he was moved to 9 for NZ IMO.

If he does move to 9 then we lose Mcillorum and in any case I doubt TL wants to be interchange hooker but the main man.

Dave

Tommy is the one of the most improved players in super league, at this rate I hope he can see out his career at the club becoming a real star of our team, maybe at hooker in future years.

Tommy is a fantastic rugby league player. Very strong in defence (ask Mary ) puts on some massive hits, broken field running is up there with the best in the world, sidestep is awesome, shortkicking game is very good, long kicking game is improving and you can tell he's worked on it. He is our best 7 and our best 9 too, much like Pat last season being our best winger and full back. I agree with someone who said the club made a mistake in signing a 9 instead of a 7 pre season but that is something we are going to have to live with and make a positive. Tommy, IMO is our best player and thoroughly deserves a new contract and should be made our back up (or maybe even starting) 9 next season. For now he should be left at 7 with Sam as his partner, give us some stability for the rest of the season because I think this is the only way we will have a half decent season. Our backline should be,

Pat
Roberts
Gleeson
Carmont
Ainscough
Sam
Tommy

For the rest of the season, and it is up there with the best in the league.

said for a while tommy leu is one of our best players...and he always shows the passion for the club and the town...he is as much wigan as a wigan lad would be. he's shown that time and again, particulary last year or the year before when he seemed to be crying when coming to the fans after the leeds eliminator loss!!

Top bloke and a quality player. for me from what ive seen this season i would have to say in an ideal world for next year riddel would go to be replaced be lockyer or someone of that ilk. (riddel is fat overweight and has offered us nothing this season imo). tommy would move to starting 9 with macca off the bench, and our new w/c half back would play week in week out with sam tompkins. leuleui's best position is clearly hooker IMO.

[quote="Red Hot Jalapeno"]He is a good player and gives every ounce of effort that he has BUT he is not good enough with the ball in hand to take us to the next level IMO. If we had a world class 6 to partner him then we could get away with him playing 7 but with a young lad like Tomkins at 6 you need a really good 7 next to him which Tommy isnt. I think we need to find a way of playing him at 9 coming off the bench for Riddell and bring in an experienced 7 if possible. A world class halfback last night would of opened Saints defence up with the amount of posession we had on their try line.[/quote]

completely agree - TL should play at 9 because he can cause havoc when the opposition is on the back foot. When we're close to the oppo line he just doesn't seem to have the skills required to unlock tight defences. Besides a prop we are crying out for a creative, marshalling half back

Thomas Leuluai never fails to impress me and even in some embarassing defeats over the past couple of seasons he's still given 100%.

Well done Tommy!

Keep it up lad.

Very much agree and I think Sam Tomkins is better at kicking for depth. He usually manages to split the fullback and winger making the ball bounce whereas against St Helens Leuluia kicked about three times straight down the oppositions throat.