Quote: Phuzzy "Sorry, I meant more in terms of respect and professionalism off the park rather than any failings on it. I doubt even his most ardent of supporters would suggest he's a stabilising influence or a good role model within a squad.'"
Why? He's made a couple of mistakes, taken his punishment on the chin and come back to become one of the best players in the competition, and one of the leaders for his team. I've heard nothing from anybody to suggest he's a destablising influence at, the opposite infact.
I'm now convinced Tomkins is a stand off. Everyone talks about his weaknesses at FB, and what a great runner he is but really to me his kick returns have become less and less effective and from what I've seen he rarely makes a break when returning the ball. His major strength now is his link up play in the line and his passing. In other words I think he's become more of a pivot rather than a strike player so to me the time is right for him to move into the halves for NZ and England in particular, not to compensate for his weaknesses, but to exploit his strengths.
We have the best crop of FBs we've had in years so I think moving him from FB will not weaken England at all, and a half back will always be targeted in defence and although he's scrawny he's a strong player, and I certeinly thinkk he's a better defender than Matty Smith so it won't be the risk some people seem to think, in fact I think it's more risky to keep him in the side at FB
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