My take, from observing ST over this tournament, that he appears to represent the typical modern day British sporstman with a bit of talent. He appears to look to the camera, be self-conscious, pose, etc anf grossly over-estimate himself - rather like most English footballers. Compare that with people like Lockyer and most truly great sportsman - humble, head down, working hard for the team not personal glory. Personal glory, like money, should be a bi-produce of team success (or success in any walk of life) not the prime-mover. It it is the prime influence then potential and happiness is never achieved. I saw enough over the tournament to form the personal opinion that he'll never make a great of international RL. If I were Wigan I'd issue an ultimatum - either you want to RL or RU and if the latter take the biggest amount they can whilst his contract is new and re-invest it in player development and people who want to play the game. If ST is one of those well that's fine, but all this nonsense is a distraction to ST's development as a player, Wigan and RL in general.

WTF? It would be like Jobes (RIP) guesting as CEO for Microsoft! Why oh why do we give our biggest competitor such favours. It's embarrasing and reminds me of the worker dothing his flat cap to the factory owner as they drive past in the rain in their RollsRoyce. Grow a pair RL!

Haven't read the whole thread but WTF is Tomkins up to? He's an RL player so why feel the need to go swanning off to play in RU exhibition matches? Last week I was feeling really optimistic about English RL - Sam signing a new contract, England hammering NZ to reach the final. Not quite so this week!

He'll be complaining about burn-out next season, no doubt.

Jesus Christ, he's playing one match it's not like he's signed his soul away. He can't do that for another three years. I assume playing for the Barbarians is a quite a big honor so why not let him play if he's been invited to do so?

The way some of you people moan and go on about him all the time makes me wonder if you're all secretly in love with him and have little shrines at home of him that you worship.

Who do you support? You talk like this kind of thing happens all the time.

I think the response from Wigan says it all about the future of rugby league in this country. All they are talking about it how much bigger Union is and what an honour it is to be chosen by them. Is there any future for RL if it's 'biggest' club is so fixated on union?

I agree with that, I am stuggling to see what the problem is. We have him for 3 more years minimum, hopefully he will stay longer as he is a huge talent but if not good luck to the guy. It will be a nice little earner I assume

I hope for RL, Wigan and England's sake he doesn't get a career ending injury playing in this game

Hope he plays better than he did sunday, He was rubbish

Why did he play again the day after the Four Nations Final ?

Must have had a run out for orrell to prepare himself for the big one.

No it is nothing like that, ST has only just established himself as an international RL player, this is for nobody else's benefit than ST. Your analogy is way off the mark it is more like a software developer doing some work for Microsoft with the agreement of Jobes (which has happened) and do not forget Jobes and Gates have worked together.

ST is playing in a meaningless exhibition match sandwiched between far more important club fixtures. RL main competitor is not RU (Leeds and Quins are testament to that) football is and by a very long way.

It's Jobs. Steve Jobs.

Jobes to his mates. I called him Jobesy.

Is it, or is it more like Jobs turning up at a microsoft meeting and saying "I'd do it like this, becuase I'm hot. The way you do it - its kinda boring to look at."

Assuming it goes well, it [icould[/i be used as an excellent marketing tool for SL - playing on the fact league produces a more exciting and capable rugby player. Or, we could all sit round and moan about it.

There will be rugby union speccies that have never been interested in whether league is any good or not. Seeing Sam run rings round a few union lads will surely help the exposure of league and increase interest in it.

Alternatively, watching him flail hopelessly at a series of high balls will confirm their belief that when they turn up in their Range Rovers and Barbour jackets, they're watching a superior game.

Which would surely help put off the Rugby Union from poaching our stars?

Sounds like a win-win situation to me.

Your relentless optimism has defeated my sarcastic nihilism; I am unable to retort.

I am wondering if the majority of the posters on this thread do, given the outcrying to effectively ban Sam from playing in this game.

Come on over to my side - Its warm, your glass is always half full and there's cuddles for all!

Do none of you have doubts about Leneghan's long term intentions? I can understand the link up with the Scorpions and accessing players from Wales, but the link with Saracens and the constant fawning over Union doesn't seem very productive.

He seems delighted to be setting Wigan RL up as a feeder system for Union.

As for the actual match itself, Tomkins playing well will merely ensure he moves to Union quicker. He'll also have his head thoroughly turned in terms of what he could have down there, despite Wigan's claims he can't talk to other clubs until 3 years are up, he'll be doing it on Saturday without doubt.

You make my skin burn.

I see that the Union slant on it is that the Barbarians have previously invited, for example, Lote T, Matt Rogers, SBW and Willie Mason some of whom were already on their way to Union. They apparently did well "on the big stage." Implies they consider ST will be on his way at some point.

I'm sure Australia will be under orders to let ST score long distance tries when he gets the ball - to help convince him RU is the game for me. Call me a cynic - but these games are just exhibition matches where the result doesn't matter.

Nah - I'd only spoil it for everyone.

Good old jobes