I hope Sam hasn't read this as it might send him over the edge..... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/33976330 McNamara sending Hardaker a text last week to praise him for his recent performances.

I hope Sam hasn't read this as it might send him over the edge..... www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/33976330 McNamara sending Hardaker a text last week to praise him for his recent performances.

What makes it more incredulous is that virtually everyone wants Sam in the team, at 6/7 with Widdop.
The way the Goonfans talk, it's like everyone thinks he wont even be in the squad.

Hardaker has played his way into the FB role with consistent high quality performances over several seasons.
This year he has been outstanding ,with even opposing fans and former players agreeing.

Playing him from the bench or in the centre's when we have Watkins, Reed, Sarge, Percival and at a push , Briscoe or shenton is a terrible idea.

Goons just need to learn that this year, Super Sam doesn't deserve the FB spot.

At a push Shenton? He's been excellent this season, much better centre than Sarginson.

I would still have Reed and Watkins as first choice, Percival as back up. Sarginson, shenton and Briscoe should be in the squad but I'm betting are very unlikely to play.

If hardaker and hall are first choice I'd put Briscoe in ahead of Burgess as the Leeds back three together can be a good unit for England.

If Mcbanana sticks with Sam at FB I'd take Hall and Burgess

Bit of a non story, really. Tomkins asked a question, Tomkins answers the question... He's not said anything controversial there.

What was the question asked of him? Not shown there. Was he asked to comment on Hardakers comments?

By contrast Hardaker was specifically asked about his chances of claiming the spot.

Only the week before last I read an article which he featured in where he was saying how much he was looking forward to playing for England against some of his NZ teammates. He missed out the "if selected" routine as if his position was never in doubt.

He's the most overhyped player of recent times. The RL press over here, the Sky commentary team, and the entire Sky broadcasting team worshipped the ground he walked on. He even had his own features on their RL programmes.

Is it any wonder that it seems to have got to him that he's got a rival?

He's a self-publishing attention seeker who regularly flirted with the Rugby Union press.
As soon as he hits a bit of form over here don't worry, the Union press believing all the hype will be all over him and he'll no doubt do nothing to dampen rumours of him switching codes.

He'd been found out over here by the time he left for Oz. He was anonymous in the big games like he always has been when playing for England against Australia.

Such an amazing season that he's only scored 10 tries and made 5 assists

And saved about 30. You do realise there is two parts to a game?

If that's how you're judging a player's effectiveness you've got a very simplistic view of the game.

Not Shaun Wane, are you?

And how many has Super Sam T done in Super League? eh? eh?

What? Oh....

As a Wigan fan i'm bound to be a little biased here, but i'll try my best to stay as neutral as possible.

For me it depends what the situation calls for.
10 tries and 5 assists for the team that is top of the league isn't really that amazing, and in fact MUCH lower than Sam Tomkins' tries and assists in the Super League were.

However, it is also plain to see that Hardaker is BY FAR the better defensive player.

I would personally play Hardaker at full back and Tomkins in the halves.

For me, in terms of attacking play, Tomkins is better than Hardaker,
And for defensive play, Hardaker is the better player.