I'd agree with that but then he is a 6 not a 1

I have said all along we get away with playing him at 1 because we can not because he is a particularly great 1. He made a mistake a top full back would not have done tonight when he tried to fly hack a ball under pressure. Probably didn't think it was worth diving on and getting his head kicked in given it was late in the game but I think a natural full back would have dealt with it. As a six I reckon he's hack it pretty easily.



I don't think it will either but he should not be castigated if he decided to be a one club man. I reckon he will get his chances for England and hopefully with Wigan in future WCC fixtures to play against the best the Aussies have and if that's enough for him and he enjoys a long and successful Wigan career as a top player in SL no one should have a problem with that.

Not sure where this comes from but no my best mate at uni was at school with him from a young age and she doesnt remember him ever being anything but a wigan fan supposedly he was only born in mk because his dad was down there for a job at the time hence joel and logan not being born there.

She also said that he was a bit weird and cocky but never about himself being a wigan player but about joel being one.

Hula my son went to school with him and I am sure he initially was a Wire fan - I think it was his dad who was a Wire but I will ask my lad when he gets up.

I can only go off what she tells me mate she doesnt tend to lie though like.

No problem Hula, I wasnt implying your friend was lying. My ageing memory tells me he was a Wire fan when he was very young but switched to Wigan - I will check with my son.

It would be good to see Sam go down under for a couple of years after this 5 year contract ends in order to cement his status as a world class player. Because for Sam to be called a world class player he would have had success in SL, NRL and Ineternationals imo. Mal Reilly said the other night that the real test of an English player is whether or not he can hack it down under as the overall standard and intensity is higher. Hats of to the likes of Morley,Ellis and Carney who did well down under and to Graham who is going into the best comp in the world. It is about proving it at all levels and Tompkins is quickly becoming a big fish in a small pond in the SL who will need a bigger challenge in time.

I don't agree that he us the next Billy Slater. He is the only Sam Tomkins!! I'm sure he'd set the NRL on fie like he has with SL but hopefully not for a very long time!!

Boooooooooooooooooooooo

Would you not agree the make of a world class player would need to demonstrate their skill over the course of a full season? It's much easier to get yourself up for a WCC or the odd international against the best, than it is to play a full season - I think that would be the test.

As much as I agree regarding your thoughts on loyalty, i'd hate the thought of my teams top players leaving. I'm afraid thats the difference between a great player and a world class player. If a player succeeds in the NRL he will be remembered as a World class player. If he doesn't go, there will always be doubt over the players ability at the highest level.

I'd be quite satisfied if Tomkins stayed a Wigan player and proves he is a world class on the international stage for England. As a fan of Wigan I'd must rather watch the lad playing for us while others question whether Tomkins is world class because he isn't playing in the NRL than watch him playing for someone else. Who cares how someone is remembered when its over? I'd rather be an observer of his playing career in the present.

Hula sam was a wire fan when he was growing up all 3 played at chorley panthers then went to pats thats when they supported wigan

Theres a few at wigan who would do really well in the NRL both tomkins, mossop, o'loughlin to name a couple. I think lockers would really stand out if he played over in Aus

That's a fair point, I am of the same opinion. I pay my money to see good players play for my club and win things for my club.

I was merely pointing out what needs to be achieved, should any player wish to be remembered as a world class player.

Andy farrell and paul sculthorpe. Neither played in the nrl both will be remembered as world class.

Maybe you're right - I would have liked to have seen both handle the NRL to cement that statement.

Farrell and Sculthorpe were in a league of their own during their prime and were both better than O'Loughlin, who I feel would comfortably make it in the NRL. Nathan Brown echoes that sentiment. But saying that, we have never struggled to produce good forwards.

In fact, I'm trying to think of the last British back to make it Australia. Carney was the last one (and he's Irish, but must count) and Widdop doesn't count as he came through Melbournes system. You have to wonder whether it is a talent pool problem or a coaching problem. It is probably a bit of both, but I would definately say that the level of coaching makes a huge difference.

contracts these days are nothing more than negoationation points,
i think sammy would be great in the nrl, just hope he dont get tempted

Even as ' Leeds boo boy'

I would not agree with that, he is at least as good defensively as Billy Slater.

No not really. Like I said previously I think we are a bit too obsessed with the NRL. Is every player who plays in the NRL world class? No. We see plenty of NRL players come here who are good players but then they go home and still get games for an NRL side. They aren't [igreat[/i players. I suppose what I am trying to say is you don't need to be a world class player to get a game in the NRL, you have to be good but not world class. That being the case I don't think it proves anything playing there or is any kind of prerequisite for being classed as world class.

I think moving to Oz ought to be done if a player fancies the change of lifestyle and is using RL as way to sample life elsewhere. If I were young enough and good enough to play RL I'd definitely consider it as I like to travel but not everyone wants to do that.



Many players have long careers in the NRL but they are not considered world class players. Finch is not the best half back I have ever seen play for us. He's looking very good but he isn't what I'd call a world class player but he'd walk into an NRL side tomorrow if he left. What does that prove?

I'd also point out in the past even when we dominated the game it was rare for players to move permanently to Oz. When the seasons were out of sync players like Hanley and Schofield did off season stints but strangely enough they were controversial as people were often saying they ought to rest not play in Oz so there was no great clamour for them to go to "prove themselves". People watched the players and took it as a given certain players were world class. These days its as if we have no faith in our own judgement.

He'd easily play NRL, if he became available the majority of clubs would be interested.

I am of the opinion that the NRL is of a way higher standard than Super League, of course not all players are world class but the competition is tougher over there. Because of that fact it must be harder for a player to shine in the competition. If he manages it, for me, his ability is proven. But I am reluctant to have that opinion if they don't prove themselves among the best.

Maybe he is a World class player, as was Long, Wellens, Senior, Harris..... but there will be doubts on all these players and the trend will continue whilst our league is inferior.

Still - As someone pointed out, does it matter if he can or can't - as long as he is doing the job for you.

As tremendous a player he's already been in super league and hopefully will be for years at Wigan, i just have this feeling that we may not see the absolute best he's capable of if he doesn't go to the NRL. Doesn't anyone else feel that, at times, it seems all too easy for Sam?

No surprise he is or was a wire fan as both his parents are from Warrington ,prob born in MK as his dad was a Transport policeman and worked down there and yeah i reckon he will one day follow maguire to oz where imo he will shine

I'd agree with that and we have proof in our own ranks in George.

He was a journeyman by NRL standards but based on last year he was one of the two best centres in SL and is easily in the top 3 this season.

All that said and going back to the original point I'd be sad to see Sam go to the NRL but could we really deny him the chance to test himself against the world's best like Cam Smith etc?

only played for Newcastle

I know that, I meant he was a journeyman in the context that in the NRL he was a safe, steady and consistent player rather than world class like Inglis or Hodges