added to that is Sam's speed of thought process, he can spot a gap by the minute movement of the opposition defenders and react to it instictively. He beats defenders also by his own body movement, a drop of the shoulder or a swerve of the hips opens up a gap for him also.

I was out for a beer or three a couple of weeks ago at a well known real ale pub in Wigan. A member of our group, who like me has been watching Wigan a long long time said that Sam was the best fullback he has ever seen at Wigan. I thought about the likes of Tyrer, Fairbairn, Griffiths, Ashby, Lydon, Radders etc and do you know what, it's very hard to disagree with him.

So how come the Wigan fullback beats him every time? ^^

your asking the wrong person

boll0cks!!!

I'm tempted to agree, too, of the ones I've seen - though I never saw Jim Sullivan play. Several were better defensively, but in terms of their overall contribution, Sam's right up there, and he's still only a kid!

People always say there's better in the NRL without actually watching the NRL. As I said earlier, the only 2 alongside Sam at the moment for attacking ability are Barba, GI and Slater

There are literally only a handful of players in either code of world rugby who could have scored that 2nd try - absolutely world class.

There are a lot of people in the aussie media who love him and ex teammates like Barrett, Piggy and Hoffman have all talked him up but until he actually goes out there and does the business there will still be the typical arguments thrown back that he isn't in the same class as the Slaters, Marshalls, Thurstons etc but he definitely is. If we do have to lose him over the next 2/3 years it simply HAS to be the NRL, it would be such a tragedy to lose his talent from our sport altogether when he is still yet to reach his peak. Personally I hope he stays at Wigan forever, but with the way the salary cap is compared to other competitions I feel we have to be resigned to losing him at some point.

He also mentioned Martin Ryan along with all those names, but, as you say, its hard to disagree, Sam is a rare talent, 'freakish' ability, sit back and enjoy a great player, and (although most other fans wont believe this), a pleasant, like able, well mannered young man.

If you're not just including fullbacks then Shaun Johnson is up there as well in terms of amazing solo efforts.

Ahhemm!
I wonder who said that!



I worded it slightly different - I think he's as good as anything I've seen at Wigan (Going back to around 77) when taking into account a number of different aspects i.e Full time era, TV scturinisation of every game that's played.
Obviously Hanley would be the stand out but he was around 24 ish when we signed him and he really it his peak a couple of years later 26/27.

This young lad has just turned 23 for crying out loud!

As you say and as I was saying to my kids 12 months ago when the usual "Experts" around us were saying "He's Greedy", "He's not a fullback"

etc "This guy is sensational and when people tell you that Hanley didn't drop a ball or miss a tackle etc they're lying! Just give him a shirt and the ball and sit back and enjoy! Because at some point he won't be here and when he's gone you wouldn't expect another one to come along. Players like this guy pop up over here once in 20 years if your lucky"

When taking into account the things I mentioned above,Tomkins is at a level above Hanley In my opinion at the same age (Around the same time we signed Hanley) and I see no reason why that progress cannot continue.

Yeah forgot about him. Obviously, they have talent but can't see why Sam couldn't do the same if he was in the same comp

I think he was talking about the other gentleman who has been watching Wigan a long long time. (Not Roy

).

I can consider myself extremely fortunate to have witnessed so many great players pass through our club since my first season as a supporter (1982).

Hand on heart, for all round completeness as a Rugby League Player, I think Sam is a talent right up there with Ellery Hanley.

Something I never thought I would see.

Cherish every game he plays for the club.

Rogues,I saw all the players you mention (I also rated Steve Hampson,he was so brave it was unbelevable).
The first Wigan fullback I saw was Jackie Cunliffe in 1953/4,who could also play standoff and centre.
Sam is as good as any of these even though it is a different game these days. The try Sam scored on Saturday reminded me so much of the one Jonathon Davies scored against Australia a few years ago,I think the one by Davies was better if only for the reason that he ran past some very good Aussie backs,including running round a very quick fullback in Brett Mullins.
Something in me still wonders how he would go at halfback,then you could compare him with the best halfback I ever saw,Alex Murphy. But before people start shouting about being fed up with some fans calling for Sam at halfback,this is just my view.

Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart are both better fullbacks than him at the moment.

People always say if he played in the old era he wouldn't laugh five minutes because someone would "have him" but he's proven he's a tough customer over the last 3 years and stood upto a lot of flack he's received on the field. The scary thing is that's all hes played 3 and a bit years of rugby and he's already this good. Give him his other 3 years remaining on his contract and the sky is the limit for him I really do think he could take his game to any level he wants to

I've never gone for hating of great players, I like watching greats even if they don't play for Warrington, it makes you more nervous as a fan coming up against them but also that's part of the excitement of the game, the danger that a great player presents when he's coming up against you, and why it's so extra exciting when one plays for you and you know how the opposition feels, which is why I got so excited about GB games when Hanley, Schofield, Offiah and co were around because that's when they were in my team, so its similar when Tomkins plays for England.

In my opinion though as an opposition fan, I don't put Tomkins in the league of Robinson or Hanley. I can't compare him to Hanley anyway because he's such a different player, the only player I have ever thought you could compare to Hanley was Sonny Bill Williams and even then he was a fair way behind. Hanley to me is just off on his own, for one man to be able to have so much influence, I think he's the greatest rugby player of either code in history.

It's easier to compare Robinson and Tomkins as they are both such elusive runners, as has been pointed out by someone else, Tomkins isn't out and out quick but he's pretty quick and has the best balance and footwork of any player for a while, so I certainly rate him very highly but I would put Robinson ahead and by enough to make a clear distinction as well. Robinson was faster and more explosive from a standing start. As an opposition fan Robinson put more fear into me than Tomkins does, I don't think Tomkins has ever really ripped Warrington.

As to the question what will he become onwards and upwards, I reckon that will end up being an unanswered question as in 2 or 3 years time he will go off to play union, it's got the Iestyn Harris feel about it, its not a question of if but when. I would love to see him go to the NRL, keep him in league, get him away from playing against us, and see how he'd go in the NRL where he'd be a credit to British RL.

when was the last time you watched them play?
when the 4nations was on i said on the vt board that brett stewart was the 2nd best full back in the world after billy slater but this season he hasn't been as good as last season and he defo isn't better than sam either is josh dugan there's another man made out of glass.

i watch every game of the nrl every week as all the games are shown on the sports channel here and sam would fit in any nrl team with out a shadow of doubt.

1st billy slater
joint 2nd sam and inglis.

i reckon by the end of the season inglis will have out performed slater tho. the more time he spends and fullback the better he is getting.

Don't worry about watching the games, don't you know every player who plays in the NRL is automatically better than anyone who plays in SL? That seems to be the view some fans have!

Hes the best player ive ever seen in a Wigan shirt with me only being 21, long may it continue.

What makes it even better? Every other opposition fan hates him

Your talking about current form I'm sorry but Brett Stewart is better and always will be than Sam Tomkins at playing fullback and I see Josh has having more raw ability as well. Don't patronise me with this "i watch all the nrl games" trust me I watch a LOT of nrl games too my opinion is well founded.

It's strange this thread has come up because if anything I think he's been quieter this year than last.

I don't think it's his fault - he still makes devastating breaks, but the pack is so on top and the halves have so much time and space to dictate play that Tomkins' brilliance isn't needed as much.

Josh Charnley having more raw ability than Sam Tomkins?

I think Tomkins is a better athlete and his ball handling skills are out of this world. That's before you factor in his instinctive feel for the game (seeing things others simply don't). I rate Charnley very highly.....but he can't touch Tomkins.

pretty sure he meant dugan.