Exactly my point.

Are you suggesting that Wigan are the first team to lose an important game, ever ?

The laughable point about Tompkins reaction was the try had been refered to the Video Referee anyway, but instead of seeing what that decision might be, he was over there screaming at someone.

Hicks really did nothing wrong and yet was subject to the volley of abuse from someone who thinks he is bigger than the whole game itself and behaves according.

Now if you want to go behave like that and scream at officials, then I suggest he goes plays Wendy-Ball where that sort of thing is acceptable and is played lip-service to (in terms of dealing with it), whereas in RL, respect for the officials (good or bad) is sacrasanct.

If every player reacted in the same way at the same point of a game, then the sport would end in chaos. If his team mates or coach can't / won't deal with the issue, then it is the job of the governing body of the sport to come down hard on him and teach him some other with. Something like a big fine and / or a ban might focus the mind to start with.

There's disagreement / back-chat and there's running over and screaming at them ...

And for the record, match officials are partly to blame. On this occasion, Hicks should have brought the attention to Bentham.

Generally in the game, the use of the 10 yards back + penalty for back chat is sadly under used and perhaps if it was applied more certain immature players might think twice about their actions ....

Sorry Admiral I can't see your point. I've said he's immature and needs guidance. I haven't tried to excuse his antics.

I just feel that people are getting on his back a little too much. He hasn't killed or raped anyone. He's guilty of silliness and hotheadedness yes. But surely there is a limit to how far you can villify someone for that?

I reckon he must have deserved Bailey's late dropped shoulder into his back after play had ended for half time as well. After all, Bailey wouldn't have done that if Sam didn't deserve it, and although I can't think of a justification right now, there must be one surely. I'll leave it to you lot to provide an appropriate excuse.

Hardly the crime of the century is it?
Well before the famous Eric Cantonna "one foot in the crowd" incident,
I remember 1968, Billy Boston jumped over the wall at Knotty Ash, Liverpool Citys ground and thumped a spectatator who was giving him racial abuse, he returned to the field and carried on playing, and no one said a thing.
Times are different now, spectators think they can say, and, do as they wish, with out any consequence to themselves, look at some of the comments on (all boards) here for evidence.
Rugby players are people with emotions, like all human being's they will react if pushed to far, remember John Prescott.
Personally, I think Sam does pretty well to control his reactions in dealing with the constant barrage of some pretty vile abuse from a minority of spectators at all clubs. I'll come to your place of work and call your mother a whore, etc, let's see how short your fuze is ?
As the best talent in SL at the moment, he's a target, that has been and always will be the case for all of the games great's, but, be honest, in the emotion and adrenallin fuelled atmosphere of a CC sticking two fingers up isn't that big a deal, is it ?
If the RL decide its worthy of action, then he will have to suffer the consequences, and rightly so, but until then, get of his back and have a good look at yourselves before verbally attacking someone (not just ST) that you don't know personally.

Who the hell is Tompkins?

Another quality post from Laurence.

Who?

I think we've done that one to death, along with Maguire/McGuire. Let's allow people some spelling, typo, and grammatical errors, to ensure the thread is not derailed, shall we?

Tomkins isn't some player that we just decided to boo. He's got hisself a reputation for cheating and pushing the bounds of gamesmanship to breaking point long before the exiles game. He also has a tendency to go missing in internationals.

He's also a pro sportsman, and gets paid to act in a certain way whether or not crowds like him.

All in all, he's a nasty little f****r, an arrogant chav who despite his talent brings the game into disrepute, and needs a good kick up the from someone at Wigan to get him acting his age.

Translation: "I can act like a yob but Tomkins has to be perfect, waah waah waah!"

Very reasoned post.

I'm not going to defend his antics yesterdy in flicking the v at the Leeds end, it was stupid and not needed. If the RFL ban him, within reason, I wouldn't object too much.

Someone at Wigan needs to talk to him though, I'm sick of talking about Sam about non-playing matters. If he's targeted by other teams/players then there are ways to deal with that frustration without acting so petulantly.

I think we basically agree on the same things, but are coming at it from different angles.

The thing that really wound me up yesterday wasn't the flicking of the Vs (I couldn't see them from where I was sat and only found out via text towards half time), but instead was his treatment of the touch judge.

The level of respect for match officials from the players, is what sets this sport apart from some of the slime out there.

What was done by Tompkins after the Ryan Hall try was nothing short of disgraceful and if the match officials at the time are not prepared to deal with the issue, then the RFL should be taking a long, hard look at how he acted. If his club can't / won't deal with him, then maybe the authorities should.

What he did far in excess of the usual level of backchat that is also creeping in to the game.

If Samuel wants to behave in that way again, then perhaps rugby league is not the sport of him and maybe he'd be better at home with the round ball game that seems to tolerate that sort of thing far more acceptably ?

Which try are you talking about as I'm trying to watch it back and can't see anything? (Though in doing so I did spot Ryan Bailey run straight into Charnley as Leeds were celebrating Hall's first try...)

Apart from the result we had a great day at Wembley with Leeds giving thier best. Also many super conversations and laughs with fans from all over. What a challenge cup final should be like. So how does one player manage to upset me so much?

I was in the southstand for the international when the booing came from fans wearing many assorted club colours - so I know it was not leeds based! Has this player upset fans and players throughout super league to the same level as we saw yesterday? Upsetting his peers with obvious cheating attempts and associated arrogance - it takes a lot to get Sir Kevin obviously having contempt for you! Upsetting fans with continuous antics such as yesterday.

And of course there was no question of anything kicking off after the match. Our family is bigger than that!

Previously I have posted against the boo boys and will retain my dignity by continuing to abstain in the hope that the RFL get this sorted prior to November 5th. Without action my support for the essence of family rugby league may be questioned. IT IS THIS SPIRIT that enables me as a Leeds fan to purchase tickets for internationals and finals regardless of Leeds participation. It is this spirit that was questioned yesterday by one player doing what he did. Look at the photo and look at both the fingers and his eyes. This is not the same Rugby League SPIRIT I support and significantly pay a lot of money for that priviledge.

Apart from this. Congratulations to Wigan and the players and supporters who contributed to such a good final. Thanks to the rugby league family who were out in force makiing the most of a traditional weekend. I even noticed the French being there in numbers. I wonder what the french is for Booooooooooooo.