There's certainly not been such a blatant example in a showcase event before...that should be reason enough for the RFL to make an example.

Oh and Eastmond was his own fans so a bit different!!

The Eastmond incident wasn't televised to millions and I don't recall Smith making an offensive gesture. Probably a closer comparison (albeit a different sport) is the Rooney incident.

I truly thought Tomkins had put those negative aspects of his game behind him, and his performances were showing dividends. I thought he was humble in post match interviews where he had tore apart the opposition and was impressed with how he dealt with some of the rough stuff he was dished.

I was disturbed that, as a Saints fan, I was actually (and begrudgingly) starting to admire him.

So cheers Sam for redressing the balance!

On the first point I agree with you to be honest, really wouldn't appreciate it if it infected our game even more. If it ultimately costs us the Leader's shield* then so be it, he should be on the sidelines - but as long as any other incident is in the future too... sadly I can't trust that to happen at all.

On the second point - I'm sure you could argue Sam was doing it to his fans too... only a couple of months late

*EDIT: not that I think we'd fail to handle the Wire without him though!

He could be in trouble for both the gesture and grabbing the referee's arm.

Perhaps its time rl stopped trying to sell itself as a family sport then.
how do you feel about the mass brawl in the Aussie game today?, i thought it was awesome.

I didn't see that, but seen it mentioned on a couple of posts.

If that's true, it's more serious than the gesture. Isn't it a 3 game ban, minimum?

Agreed.If he's touched or mouthed off to the ref then he should be punished accordingly.

The Eastmond gesture was a minor thing and wasn't on TV with a million people watching the sports biggest showcase. As I mentioned above Tomkins should apologise, Wigan should fine him and the RFL should issue him a warning for his bad behaviour. All done tomorrow. Trouble is minimised, controversy over and line drawn under.

It will be interesting to see if any of the papers publishes a picture of the incident.

Me neither - when was it? and why?

Can't see him apologising - he's already deny it happened (guess he aint seen the video)... rl<link here>rl

As I asked on another thread... what's worse, flicking a V in the general direction of fans who booed him in an international, going up to another player after a match you've just lost and grabbing them by the collar and threatening to headbutt them (Danny McGuire on Tommy today), or punching a fellow player in the face and breaking his eye socket (Cunningham on Stosic)?

The physical and unneccessary violence is, for me, worse than flicking a V, and the punishment should reflect that. After all, we all want consistency.

CLASSIC TOMKINS.

BORING ODEM

Pointless Yed!

TBF, the 1st person who put [iClassic Tomkins[/i was getting that