Do people not think everyone is over reacting just a little?

Seeing people write "Where can i email the RFL to complain?" its abit OTT?
It was silly and he shouldnt have done it..Its not the only time it happens and it wont be the only time or sport it happens.

Put yourself in his shoes...Biggest game you've ever played in, young still learning and growing up, being boo at for putting on the England shirt, the Pressure and all the hatred towards you...Can you honestly say you would never do the same?? we all do things we regret...

The majority of people on here are Teens/Adults..

Young kids will have already learned things like this at school..You only have to look at the riots and it shows the problem in society is already around...sam doing that is not going to make your kids turn into bad people so please can we give it a rest??

As for him not knowing he did it, surely you must consider the amount of pressure and adrenaline rushing through him...It's easy to forget..I've had a few rows before and forgot i said something or didnt mean to say it.

For any football fans..Didier drogba made a silly outburst in the heat of the moment acouple of years back on TV, if you've ever met him hes a top bloke and very polite and has alot of sportmanship in games... People will always do silly things in the heat of the moment..This is Life. (abit off topic but its still the same point..just because he makes a silly mistake does not make him a "rat/runt" and all of the other names hes been called.)

You've given plenty of reasons why he might have done. But they don't make him excused, do they?

If it's something he shouldn't have done, it needs to be dealt with. That's the be-all and end-all. Everything else you've said makes no difference other than describe why it might have happened and why it isn't as serious as something else. It's this way of thinking that worries me sometimes, as people seem reluctant to do anything about some things that are wrong because there is worse out there.

You say we all do things that we regret, yet don't think anything should happen. Why would he regret it then? What reason should he have to regret it? Are you saying he should be allowed to do this every week?

I was sat near Tomkins in the stand when Cas played Wigan earlier this year (he was rested after the Exiles game). That day, he was nothing short of the model professional. Great with all the kids, signed autographs throughout, smiled for photographs and generally came across as a very polite and decent young man.
However, it doesn't excuse his actions and I think a warning letter would be appropriate.

This is what annoys me the most. He actually does come across as a very likeable person off the field. Why can't he act accordingly on it? Why can't he show that the boo boys aren't getting to him in a professional way, and maybe he will win them over? If he doesn't want to, or doesn't care about them, then he can't complain (and react out of turn) when he gets verbal from the crowd.

I really admire Tomkins as a player, but not as a person. He could be the poster boy and biggest star of RL in this country for decades if he sorts his act out. The RFL need to work with him on his professionalism.

I remember once at Odsal when I shouted to a below par visiting Kevin Iro that in my opinion he wasn't operating to his usual standards. He can clearly be seen on camera tutting to himself. Funny how no one was baying for his blood that day.

Normally a gesture like Tomkins' should be a 2 game ban and heavy fine, but as it was done to the Leeds fans he should just be let off with a warning.

I don't disagree with that, but when do you suddenly draw the line? This could be a good start I suppose. I don't think Kyle Eastmond got a ban when he did it to his own fans.



Well he has now been fined. The Wigan club/Sam Tomkins have made an official apology. Case closed.

I think Eastmond was suspended by the club. Doing it to your own fans after a match is a bit different to doing to opposition fans during a game though I think

Edited for accuracy.

That would be fair too

No ban. Club fine and a token fine from the RFL will be sufficient. The hysteria about Tomkins on here is ridiculous. Mind you, so is the assertion that he's world class. He's done nothing to show that yet - hopefully he will, and hopefully he'll stay in league.

People tend to ignore that side of him. I served him on many occasions working at starbucks, he is a very nice guy.

On the pitch he is arrogant and people only look at that, it is part of what makes him the best player in the country.

He shouldn't have done it but part of me is glad he did. I just can't make my mind up on the whole issue really.

Wigan and Sam have made a statement, as Cadoo says, case closed.

And for the record, Briers, Mathers, Myler, Eastmond, King etc. have all done the same and not got a ban... so why should Tomkins.

Ridiculous? I don't think so. He is clearly a once-in-a-generation talent and has consistently done things on the field that no other player can do. On that basis, you can certainly argue a case for him being world class - if he isn't, then who in the northern hemisphere is? What else could he do?

Or maybe you are one of those who can't make your mind up until someone has played 50 GB / Aus /NZ internationals? Get off the fence man!

As for his 2 fingers:

Takes a man to make an unreserved apology, and given the fact that it was Leeds morons' ape-like goading (when he was theoretically playing on their side) that wound him up and obviously got to him in the first place, they should let it go. Though being utter morons, they of course won't.

i suspect the morons who goaded him in leeds wont be at the lsv for the England Wales game,i also suspect his talents will be more appreciated in leigh.

Did ‘Chris Joynt’s voluntary tackle’ thread have a poll? This is certainly the most participated in poll I’ve seen on RLFANS. The hysteria over Sam Tomkins can only be good for our game surely?

The hysteria surrounding this incident is happening on a rl message board,the rest of the world doesn't care.
Real hysteria followed blood gate in ru.

Well done to him and Wigan. The RFL will take this into account in their decision.

In a strange way this may well be a springboard for him to move on and silence his critics with his skills rather than other antics.

I remember visiting Leigh as an away fan and seeing Tommy Martyn diffuse abuse by a piece of dazzling skill or a simple smile and chuckle.

Complete bull! You could say that banning ST is unfair on the rest of the Wigan team/club - why should they be punished for ST's personal stupidity? Wigan were the best team on Saturday and deserved the victory - there are dodgy ref calls in virtually all matches.

For bringing the game into disrepute he deserves a ban, same as Rooney got a ban for swearing into a sky camera.

Unfair on the rest of the team ?? That's like saying a player shouldn't get a ban for a spear tackle cos its unfair on the rest of the team. A bit of an odd point of view.

Dodgy calls by the ref should be debated, we all know they happen, its when they happen beyond normal that it warrants further debate and this match was both unusually important, nationally watched and dodgy decisions played a part in the result, so worthwhile commenting.
So your complete bull remark was complete Bull !

That's a bit simplistic, don't you think?

It's a team sport - his Chairman, Coach and Captain have a responsibility to manage and moderate his behaviour; when they fail, the whole organisation is vicariously liable, just as when he scores a try that wins a match, they all share in his success.

Of course he should, I've never said once I condone what he did.

[i
Sam tomkins has dishonored himself and dishonored the squad. I have tried to help him. But I have failed. I have failed because YOU have not helped me. YOU people, have not given Sam Tomkins the proper motivation! So, from now on, whenever Sam Tomkins s up, I will not punish him! I will punish all of YOU! And the way I see it ladies, you owe me for ONE JELLY DOUGHNUT! NOW, GET DOWN ON YOUR FACES! [/i

Precisely - I couldn't have put it better myself.

Now you'd better square your ass away and start ting me tiffany cufflinks, or I will DEFINITELY you up.