Not many GB full backs make it in the NRL like RM did.

If you want to take this debate to a higher level, Eden V McDonnell?

The only one you missed is Zak Hardaker. Made Tomkins look like a chimp in the challenge cup semi when likkle ol Sam gave us the first 16 points. I think you need to be able to catch a "bomb" as a pre-requisite to become a top class full back, Sam's lacking again.

Slater makes his fair share of errors himself.

Not that many errors. He very, very rarely drops the high ball or lets the kick bounce. And he is a great defender. He saves a lot of tries, especially by getting under the potential tryscorer and preventing the ball from being touched down.

I remember him only having one bad patch in one State of Origin game throughout his entire illustrious career.

Your point needs some consideration. Maybe I have over rated Sam Tomkins, because of his dazzling attack.

Perhaps I should restructure my list by putting the top five in one group, and thn 6-10 in no particular order.

ie.

In order of talent:

1. Billy Slater
2. Ben Barba
3. Greg Inglis
4. Brett Stewart *
4. Matthew Bowen *

Not in order of talent:

6. Sam Tomkins
7. Josh Dugan
8. Darius Boyd
9. Jarryd Hayne
10. Kevin Locke

Josh Hoffman from Brisbane Broncos was picked for NZ full back when Locke was out injured. He did quite well in that recent match, but Locke would almost cerainly be selected ahead of him if Locke was fit.

Zak Hardaker is still a "work in progress" IMO. But he would be in the top 20 already (from 30 professional clubs in the world: 16 NRL and 12 SL) and he is likely to be close to if not in the top 10 within a year.

Let us see how he performs in 2013, and in the World Cup if he gets a chance.

I think people need to get a grip on their dislike of Sam Tomkins.

He makes a few errors. Tell me a full back that doesn't. You'd think the other 9 full backs on that list were indestructible the way people are going on about Sam's occasional error. Billy Slater can be erratic at times. RLWC08 Final fit example!

No room for Brett Hodgson on the list ???

What about Saints speedster.

1 Tomkins
2 Barba
3 Slater
4 Bowen
5 Locke
6 Hayne
7 Boyd
8 Hardaker
9 Dugan
10 Hodgson

True, that would be Richards.

Potentially decent thread ruined by last sentence turning it into a "lets criticise the best player in SL". the top 3 that you mention are not just the best 3 full backs but possibly the best 3 players in the world, Sam is just outside that group, but the best northern himisphere player for quite some time, so lets give him praise rather than comparing him to billy slater just so we can knock him.

Hayne? Have you seen the eels over the last couple of seasons?

They are so deep in talent in Australia that Anthony Minicello will be the 3rd or 4th best full back at the world cup and he dosn't even get a mention.

I recently watched some footage of Berba. That guy's just amazing. I watched him beat three or four guys in his own dead ball area and then run it out the length of the field and I thought "wow' and then I watched him do it again, and they have Slater as well.

As for Sam. I saw him live in the last four nations having heard great things about him and the first thing I noticed was how weak he is under a high ball. His blunders this last season shows he has not improved since then. The teams in the WC will target him unmercifully.It';s alright scoring 70 yard tries but if the opposition can get a couple of cheapies in return because he can't field a high ball, then he's a liability. His tacking isn't so good either. Briscoe from Hull on the wing is another who can't field a high ball , not in Hall's class as an English wing.

I take no pleasure in pointing out these flaws. I want England to win against Australia before I kick the bucket but it's no good deluding ourselves about players when the evidence of your own eyes is before you.