League: Sam Tomkins' guide to Wigan

Sam Tomkins (R) in action for the Wigan Warriors at DW Stadium. Photo / Getty Images

Sam Tomkins on god's country, a passion for pies and `Wiganese'

For each stop on the Kiwis tour former Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins will provide his insider thoughts on the city and the league culture.

The town

Well - what can I say? It's God's country...when God was creating the world, he put all of his effort into Wigan!

It's a great place and I love it - but it's also my hometown so I am obviously a bit biased. But it's a beautiful place, it never rains and the sun is always out.

Wigan also has a lot of history and was known for the Wigan pier. The canal that runs from Leeds to Liverpool goes right through the town.

Passion for pies

Around England, Wigan is probably most famous for its pies. When I came to New Zealand people told me they do good pies but after being there for two years - when I tried every pie in Auckland - I have to say they don't touch Wigan pies; they are special. The specialty is meat and potato pies, just beautiful

The stadium and league culture

DW Stadium is like my second home. It opened in 2000 and as a kid I would go there to watch. At the time there was a lot of frustration in Wigan because the old stadium - Central Park - which was right in the middle of town - was getting converted into a supermarket and people didn't believe that a modern stadium would ever work. But it's been a massive success

Wigan is a massive league town. We had a premiership football team for around eight years - and they did really well - but nothing is bigger than when the Wigan Warriors are playing. It's definitely a league town and the atmosphere that you get there from 26,000 people at DW Stadium really does give you a lift

'Wiganese' - the language

We also have our own language in Wigan. You can go on the App store and get a guide to Wiganese. I was explaining to Sam Rapira when we were talking about England that people speak a bit differently. I downloaded it and the boys were laughing their heads off. For example, if you hear "Art suppin bowt?" someone will actually be asking you "Is your glass empty."

Autex - Proud sponsors of New Zealand rugby league since 1981