First time since watching Hanley I've seen an Englishman look the most talented player on a field including 13 Aussies.

Awesome tonight. He's got everything.

Sadly it probably pushes him closer to Union.

]


Even though I'm a Saints fan, I would fully agree with you.

Tomkins was brilliant today for England. For the sake of RL I hope he does stay at Wigan and if he does move on
I hope its to the NRL rather than Rugby Union as it would be a great loss to Wigan and RL in general.

Think it pushes him closer to the NRL after today.

He was superb today. And the fact that the Aussie's only kicked to him twice, one of which he made a break from, shows how highly they regard him.

Thankfully he looks back to full fitness. Something he wasn't at the back end of the SL season.

If he is to leave us sooner rather than later, then I hope it's to the NRL. He'd be a big success, that I'm sure of.

Well, when all the nauseating hype of 2011 (which is still nauseating!) was at its peak, I said I wanted to see what Sam Tomkins did at international level before I would consider whether he is a world class player.

Today he showed that he is. There was none of his pathetic behaviour which spoils him. He was absolutely excellent. Along with Roby and Hall he stood out for England.

Phew, that's a relief.

For a minute then, I thought he'd still failed to pass the test.

Those flick passes and incisive runs. Utterly sublime. Every inch a superstar and should become one of League's legends.

However...

If he went, can't blame him for taking the big money. It's a short career. It would be union's delivery of the ultimate kick in the balls to our code - a blow to rival the one that the French Rugby Federation dealt to Rugby à XIII during the German occupation. Proof that they can swoop in and take the best that League has to offer (Sam). I'd be devastated if it happened and hope that Sam would choose to stay.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.

Only Hanley now stands above Tomkins in the modern era of British RL.

Today he showed that he has the potential to at least equal the great man. Whether he fulfils that potential or not, he is already one of the all time greats of British RL.

If Sam Tomkins leaves RL and we are deprived of the chance to watch him take on the legacy of Hanley, then regardless of whether Sam succeeds or not (even to be able to be compared with the great man is extraordinary), we as RL fans would have missed out on something truly special.

This lad is gifted. Even sharing the field with the likes of Lockyer, Thurston, Blair, Inglis et al, Sam Tomkins looked special. What a player he is already. What a player he could become. If he leaves RL before he fulfils his potential we might as well all give up watching this sport.

Ridiculous post. What "nauseating hype"? Tomkins has had an incredible season.

I love watching Roby and Graham play for England because they are talented enough to take on the Aussies on even terms.

Tomkins is capable of taking on the Aussies on his own terms; that's how good this lad is. He's English and God knows RL in this country needs a superstar to rally around. Tomkins is the sort of player that comes along once in a generation (or two). I wish all RL fans could leave their club prejudices behind for once and acknowledge Sam's ability.

if anyone is in doubt of what the aussies think of tomkins just go on their forums, LU! and see what they are saying about him, a st.george fan wants him instead of boyd at full back, he could be huge over there and tbh I would rather see him ripping it up in the NRL than to have his talent wasted in RU. I really wouldnt be suprised if IL makes him see out his contract and then he will follow Madge.

Look, let's not be silly.

Sam only came good today.

He never did anything good before. That was all overhyped by Wigan fans. The expert - who knows precisely what constitutes a star player because he/she has grown up watching Kyle Eastmond - speaks.

And he/she is so right about this that he/she was genuinely, honestly, sincerely and truly nauseated by our lies - as in he/she rained carrot and porridge all over the bathroom every time he/she heard Sam's name mentioned. Thank God a miracle happened, and Sam turned things around today. Otherwise, where would the vomit have ended?

your prediction was a little off the mark don't you think?
i don't think he played poorly at all!

Well, he's done that.
What are your thoughts now?

Yesterday was as good as I have seen Sam play. Yes we have all seen him score 3 or 4 against rubbish opposition who are on the back foot but yesterday his all round game was tremendous against the best team in the world. With the ball in hand he almost always made the correct decision and offloaded at the right times, which is something I am often critical of him. He was always a threat too and broke tackles and danced round players like he does in SL. A fantastic game.

He needs to do it every game against them though not just as a one off.

This will be bitter oppositions fans new line.

Sam elevated himself right up the list of the worlds best players last night. He can quite rightly feel an equal in the company of guys like Slater, Smith, Thurston, Marshall etc.