His ability is respected and acknowledged by the majority of fans. Yes people don't like him but I'd very surprised if anybody said they didn't rate him. Slater is universally respected because he's proved he's the best time and time again. Tomkins in comparison has done nothing really, he has potential but so did Sean Long and Danny McGuire and despite going on to achieve a lot at club level they never reached their potential at the highest level. A couple of injuries could set Tomkins' career back a couple of years who knows? Its far too early to be comparing him to arguably the greatest full back to play the game.

i think people underrate tomkins ability to take the high ball. but i guess well see.

tbf he had a stinker at international level, so he needs to prove that he can step up.
Btw, IMO he certainly will and it may just have been nerves, but time will tell.

He was shocking under the high ball against Leeds the other week. Its the part of his game that needs the most work.

I think Slater has more brain farts in defence then Tomkins.

Like when he handed NZ that game a few years when he flung ball when going into touch. I cant imagine Tomkins doing that.

He was crap under the high ball in Origin BEFORE he got the injury too, and was rubbish the week before under high ball.

I wouldn't have said Slater was [iawesome[/i. He also made an error or two under the high ball and was pretty ineffective ball in hand IMO.

Slater is more a physical anomoly than a RL player. He could well be the finest athlete Rugby League has ever seen.
Tomkins is not far off Slater's skill level however, he will never be as capable as Slater because he is literally a freak of nature.

Wigan fans get a lot of critiscism for being "one-eyed", but i hope you have all noticed that not many are here proclaiming Sam to be some sort of god.

Slater..... Lets see how Sam goes, looks like he is on an interesting journey.

I don't like Slater. That's not to say he isn't a good player. But he is cocky and this cockiness cost the Aussies the World Cup in 2008. TBH I'd like to see Gareth Hock say or somone equally brutal get hold of him and (fairly of course) put him out of the game for a season or two!

Anyone who picks Tomkins over Slater is basically an idiot.

This thread is hilarious…

IMO slater is an incredible player and plays exactly to the textbook. His techniques are perfect and he doesn't do much wrong. However, I believe that Tomkins has a more natural talent, the way he can cut through defenses with absolute ease. He literally makes professionals look stupid, and if he can work on things such as catching the high bomb and consistency then I believe he'll surpass Billy.

Just my opinion though!

If you were picking a team you'd probably want to have both in there somehow, but if you could only pick one then any sensible person would pick Slater and that is in no way a disservice to Tomkins, it's widely accepted fact that Slater's an utter freak.

As for the fairly consistent comments that Tomkins is 'by far' the best player in Super League? I think that's pushing things a touch. Comfortably amongst the best, easy to argue that he is the best, but without a shadow of a doubt the best? No. By far? Not a chance. I don't think in all my time watching RL that any one player has been 'by far' the best player in the competition and I really don't see that changing in a sport that requires such a diverse set of skills, shapes and sizes.