they did the same last year smashed the warriors and went to pot for the rest of the season.

Only seen very brief highlights but he looked too weak in defence. I cannot see him playing out the season at full back because of that. I think they'll have to move him to stand off or centre.

Only seen very brief highlights but he looked too weak in defence. I cannot see him playing out the season at full back because of that. I think they'll have to move him to stand off or centre.

Was thinking the same, honestly I don't think he will see out his contract, and will return to Wigan. He is a marked man over there and I don't think the Aussies will appreciate a Brit being the "best in the world"

Think also him being in a Lower order team will affect him as he will also have to do a lot more work in defence and I don't think that is his strong suit if I'm frank.

Best in world!? Not in the top 30.

The warriors overall looked very poor. If your gonna base your opinion on one match, then its gonna be a long season for the warriors.

Some serious kneejerk reactions based on one game of NRL.

Have some conveniently forgot that Morley, Ellis and Burgess in particular were pretty ordinary in their first season of NRL?

I do think that Tomkins may have to bulk up a bit for the NRL though.

If they want rid of Tomkins they can't be very happy with Johnson or their pack.

It's Elliott they need rid of.

He's a hopeless coach.

Name 25 of them.

All the attention is on him and rightfully so but if people point the finger at him yesterday about guys like Townsend, Johnson or any of the Warriors pack they're picking faults for the sake of it. He was the best of a bad bunch.

One thing I will say though is he needs moving to stand off. He's changed his game now to become a real creative force and his weaknesses at fullback will be exposed over there more then they have been in superleague.

Well at least you gave him a fair chance, eh?
I'm sure Wigan fans aren't too impressed with Matty Bowen so far either.

My thought too. Townsend constantly picked the wrong option in attacking positions; Johnson was completely anonymous throughout; the fringe defence was embarrassing on both edges; the pack was dominated; plenty of soft errors in their own half (notably Vatuvei and Lousi).

What exactly is a fullback supposed to do when the entire team in front of him is being dominated like that? Tomkins' passing game was pretty much perfect in selection and execution, his running game was poor and he wasn't elusive/balanced enough to mitigate his light weight and the fact that he's a known target. He made a pretty bad error under a bomb under plenty of pressure from Hayne (who arguably knocked Tomkins' hands out of the way just before he tried to catch) but beyond that he was one of the better players in a well-beaten team. Round 1 performances like that from the Warriors are hardly unusual though.

Not disagreeing with your main point, but Ellis was not 'ordinary' in his first season at Wests, he was exceptional and took their player of the year award.

Sam had a pretty up and down 1st game, a few mistakes he probably wouldn't normally make, and a few great passes to counter.

Its a new league, a new team and two new countries for him, it will take time, but he is TOP quality, he will get on well in the NRL and once the Warriors sort out their pretty flat attack they will get him the space he needs.