Players have done a hell of a lot worse in the past, but no because it's Sam, it's obviously the most disgraceful thing to ever happen in our sport.
What do you honestly think is a worse influence on kids? A bit of banter (including swearing), or fighting on the pitch. Because a lot of the same people who are calling Sam a disgrace for what he did today, are the same people who cheer their own players on when fights break out on the pitch.
In an ideal world, I wouldn't want my little brother (as an example) to see either of these things. But come on, why isn't there this much uproar when players are fighting on the pitch?
Yes, rugby is a full contact, tough sport. But if so many of you are offended by, and thinking about Sam's influence on youngsters watching the match today, you need to show a bit of consistency in protecting our youngsters innocence eh?

I think your missing the point why he gets booed by England fans and by opposition.

It's not because he's a great plsyer, it's because of how he conducts himself.

This is why he gets stick in the first place, it's not the other way round. He was goading our fans in the play-off game at the DW (another game that your team clocked off with a good lead), that's where it stems from.

i think you are a muppet.

But even if a player conducts himself in a way that you disagree with, surely if he's playing for your team you don't boo him? Would you boo Roby if he conducted himself in the same way?

How does he conduct himself? Everytime he's been interviewed or appears on the tv he doesn't conduct himself in anyway that deserves to be boo'd. He is boo'd because he is a good player and because he plays for Wigan nobody likes him. If he played for Saints or Leeds it'd be a whole different story

Yeah it's how he conducts himself, he's a bit cocky.... SO WHAT?

Has he had drugs ban? NO
Has he been involved in a betting scandal? NO
Has he been assaulting people off the pitch? NO
etc...

People call Sam a cock because he's a little bit cocky.
Yet there are people playing our sport that have committed actual crimes.
It makes me cringe that people name Sean Long a Super League legend (yes he was a damned good player) even though he was involved in the betting scandal. Things like that are far worse for Rugby League than anything Sam has done.

Straight Sec 4 of the Public Order Act offence if not more serious letter to Metropolitan Police tomorrow, Let them decide clear video and photographic evidence !!!

I think there is a huge difference between what Sam did, and drug taking, assault, drunk driving, illegal betting etc.

A few people miss the point with Tomkins, i don't care what shirt he wears, he's just not a likable bloke regardless. Bailey is the same and i'm sure jealous that he's not at my club, not.
He's a cracking player and i'd rather he stayed at the pies than union or NRL but he acts like a tool, i'm sure you guys don't care though.

He conducts himself by taunting fans, taunting players and by being a horrible dirty little runt.

Nail on the head

I don't by any means condone what Sam did and I don't like things like that as its a Football reaction but its funny how these hang him out to dry comments alot of them Wire fans, How you easily forget/ignore the Myler & Mathers incident from the HJ last season a far more blatent gesture yet nothing was said, A fine at most in my opinion.

If by taunting fans and players you mean tearing them apart, running rings around them, then yes, you are correct.

And how does he conduct himself? He is no worse than Long or Briers. He is [ithat[/i type of player. It's while since we have had one so I guess you don't like it.

Every ow and again a player does something stupid like throws a ball at opposition fans (forgot who did that at the JJB as it was then) but these things happen.

Get off you high horse.

No I don't mean that.

As I've said, Tomkins is a great player but a horrible little runt.

So it's ok to be taunted by other people but when he gives it 'em back they can't take it and get all upset about it? Hey if you can't take it don't dish it out simple as that

Yeah Sam perhaps bends the rules a little and can be foolish at times with some of the things he does, today's action's for example. But he comes across to me at least as a genuinely nice lad, who's very polite and modest. He's being compared against Long and Goulding who are far from that off the field.

Can't help but hear his voice when I read this post

He possibly is a nice lad off the pitch but fans only see him on it and fuss why he's got a poor reputation and gets booed.

Why does he do these things? He don't need to as he's a very good player

I agree with this, his post match interviews have been very humble and the play acting / penalty milking seems to be leaving his game. Which, as a Saints fan, annoys me no end as I really, really want to hate him with Edwards/Farrellesque fervour.

He was a reet plonker today though, the reaction at the England game has clearly got to him.

Listen mate. Point to the posts where you said the same ablout Long, Pryce or even Tommy Martyn or shut the f*ck up.

Steady, Saints fans are fully aware that Long is an 'orrible little runt. Same for Pryce.

Not Tommy though, salt of the earth.

Ey?

I've not even mentioned long or martyn so shut the f*uck up s*it head