If he goes, it is because he wants to better himself like anyone else in life and the only thing a club can do is get the best deal for him before he becomes a free agent and the club gets nothing.

Time some people face the fact that there is now far more money in the NRL and RU and got used to the situation and stopped getting paranoid about it.

Sam will be a big loss but the club will carry on as they always have done in the past by finding good players and having a good team.

You never know, they might even find one better than Sam.

Please read Cadoo's post on the rumours(?) thread. He encapsulates the situation very well.

I hear Derwent is correct.

How would you guys feel about him as a replacement for Sam?

They are fishing them out of the Dougy and T'cut as we speak!!

Satisfied.

Sam will go so we need to move on. We've got a couple of youngsters who could replace Tomkins in time but they're not ready 'yet' for that sort of pressure. The old 'over the hill Aussie' line will get thrown at us but we need some experienced heads about the place anyway.

I'd rather have Sam but that's not going to be possible and I can't think of any realistic options I'd rather have then Minichello.

Personally, id prefer Inglis

Agreed. Whether any import settles is a risk but he should be able to drop straight in and to a job.

+1.
I've watched him closely this season and he has been outstanding. On a one or two year deal he could provide invaluable experience to the side and be a great mentor to the likes of Tierney and Hampshire.

I hope you are both right. Obviously i'd rather keep Sam. Assuming we need a replacement he would fit the bill perfectly. 2 year contract with either Tierney/Hampshire to replace him. (both may have done a season in NZ by then as well).

Taken from the Sydney Morning Herald 30th June.


"Wigan star fullback Sam Tomkins - who signed with the Warriors last week - will be wearing the No.1 jumper, forcing Kevin Locke into the mix for five-eighth; with Thomas Leuluai likely to shift to hooker.

Locke may be battling Carlos Tuimavave - yet to re-sign with the Warriors past this season - and recent Cowboys draftee Chad Townsend for the five-eighth's spot.

If not, Locke will be battling it out with Vatuvei, Laumape and Glen Fisiiahi for the No.2 and 5 jumpers. Vatuvei sees the dilemma as a good thing for the club".

There is a lot of talk about this on a NZ Warriors forum, but no official announcement.

Maybe Radlinski made the trip to NZ last week to exchange contracts as well as ideas.

Great publicity for the sport and he seems like a great lad, although he isn't a local Wigan lad.