Quote Deano G="Deano G"I was ridiculed for saying a year or two ago that he could be as good as Hanley and that he might even turn out to be a better player, such are his natural gifts.
I stand by that. This lad has everything.
He's a level above Farrell and Robinson already: they were great players but he is even more special.
I'm not old enough to have seen Murphy or Boston but in my lifetime there's only Hanley that I've seen that is above him as a British player and in my estimation he is closing on the great man.
Tomkins is the kind of player that comes along only once every few decades. I sense that the tide of opinion has turned now and even non-Wigan fans (other than die-hard Wigan hating nutters) have put aside their envy of Wigan and are starting to appreciate the rare talent of Tomkins.'"
I've never gone for hating of great players, I like watching greats even if they don't play for Warrington, it makes you more nervous as a fan coming up against them but also that's part of the excitement of the game, the danger that a great player presents when he's coming up against you, and why it's so extra exciting when one plays for you and you know how the opposition feels, which is why I got so excited about GB games when Hanley, Schofield, Offiah and co were around because that's when they were in my team, so its similar when Tomkins plays for England.
In my opinion though as an opposition fan, I don't put Tomkins in the league of Robinson or Hanley. I can't compare him to Hanley anyway because he's such a different player, the only player I have ever thought you could compare to Hanley was Sonny Bill Williams and even then he was a fair way behind. Hanley to me is just off on his own, for one man to be able to have so much influence, I think he's the greatest rugby player of either code in history.
It's easier to compare Robinson and Tomkins as they are both such elusive runners, as has been pointed out by someone else, Tomkins isn't out and out quick but he's pretty quick and has the best balance and footwork of any player for a while, so I certainly rate him very highly but I would put Robinson ahead and by enough to make a clear distinction as well. Robinson was faster and more explosive from a standing start. As an opposition fan Robinson put more fear into me than Tomkins does, I don't think Tomkins has ever really ripped Warrington.
As to the question what will he become onwards and upwards, I reckon that will end up being an unanswered question as in 2 or 3 years time he will go off to play union, it's got the Iestyn Harris feel about it, its not a question of if but when. I would love to see him go to the NRL, keep him in league, get him away from playing against us, and see how he'd go in the NRL where he'd be a credit to British RL.
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