Slater is 3 times the player rat boy is.

That might be...but he is still by far one of the best in SL. Whatever you might dislike about him that fact cannot be denied.

He and Hall were about the only ones that could displace any in the Aussie first 17.

Agreed. Both tremendous players and aggresive competitors.

Tompkins was immense today and really took it to (and from) the Aussies. We just can't let club loyalties blind us to the fact that as a game we can't lose such prodigious talents to the dark side.

I'd boooo him but you spelt his name wrong.......

Tomkins was excellent today. Great to see.

I thought the whole team performed well today. There was a time in the first half when I thought England really had a belief they could win. Hall's first try was simply sensational! If that had been in the NRL we wouldn't have heard the last of it. I really believe that If England can beat the Kiwis then they have a great chance to beat Australia and win the 4 nations. I didn't expect England to win at Wembley but was surprised at how well they played. I didn't think they could beat Australia twice but I think they can beat them once. A win in the final would do very nicely indeed. After the injustice of the sending off and try that were not given I am so fired up to back the England boys. I thought Peakcock was immense when he came back on when clearly injured and led by example. With a full team England can win this! Lets get right behind them.

First time have seen tomkins the kid can play they are going mad on him over here in aus would like to see him play in the Nrl just to see him play week in week out hope he doesn't go to the dark side

After yesterday I reckon a lot of G 'n' T's will have been spilt as the old farts at RFU headquarters start the ball rolling to sign him up for Rah Rah duty
Far too much money on offer for Ratboy to turn down

the kick for touch line out driving maul ruck box kick for touch line out driving maul ruck peanlty kick at goal suit a player who thrives on expansive open running with a step that beats a player where with 13 men you can have a gap but with 15 players he would have a 6ft8 lock smashing into him with a huge pile-on getting raked for being on the wrong side.

he needs to think hard and long. in RL he is world class and would live long in the memories.

in union he would be no more than a good player with flashes of brilliance and sadly forgotten. the only english winger /fullback player pre 1980 i can recall is David duckham but ask me about RL is a different matter

It's not just about the lack of space it's also about the fact that at FB he'd be expected to kick 80% of the time and to not do so risks the cardinal sin of a turnover. Equally in attack RU backs have to be more structured and less off the cuff to ensure they don't end up isolated from their forwards.

He'd be utterly utterly wasted in the kicking code. I can understand his brother switching - he's big and quick but not especially skillful - a natural Yawnion centre. But Sam would never find a natural position in Union that would allow him the freedom he has in League (see for example Iestyn or Henry Paul).

As a Leeds and England fan I really hope he goes to the NRL!

Tomkins was all class yesterday. He and Hall were two players who looked superior to the Aussies.

Boooooooooooooooooo

Seriously though G1, you're spot on, they were a class above yesterday!

As a Wigan and England fan I hope he stays at Wigan in SL where he is contracted for 5 years! I hope England can raise their game and beat Australia in the 4 nations and then have the NRL wanting all our players but then tell them to go and develop their own!
I really enjoyed Hall's two tries yesterday. Top class finishing.

Sam is contracted for five years to Wigan though it is believed the deal is a three year plus two option. It is Joel who is going to Union.
Sam has stated that he wants to rival Billy Slater one day as the best full back in world rugby. He isn't going to do that in England. Nor in Union where he'd go backwards at 100 mph.
Mcguire wants him at Souths and Crowe wants Sam at his club more than Mcguire.
So where to live then, playing for Saracens and living in Watford, or for Souths and living in a very nice part of Sydney?
Most Wigan supporters think he'll opt for Australia.
That's of course unless the RFL/SL do something that may make him decide to remain in English RL and at Wigan.
Two chances of that I suppose, no chance and fat chance!