I didn't rate any of the RU players today to be honest. If rugby is about the fundamentals of running, passing and tackling then they were all dismally poor.

I thought Tomkins did ok considering he probably hadn't a clue what was going on and just relied on natural instinct. It will speed up his departure though there's no doubt about that - contract or no contract. England will already have him lined up as their next superstar. Let's face it they need one.

He can sit back and wait for the offers to roll in.

Laughable game today... only time Barbarians looked threatening was when Habana got the ball in space, that number 13 for them is utter e, cocked up two chances and every time he threw a pass to Sam he was having to dive on it


I'll be stunned if he ever crosses to Union... might do better elsewhere. But he just isn't a winger, he needs to see more of the ball in space.

He'll be gone after his 3yrs. Unless something dramatic happens.

I wouldn't mind in three years him going to the NRL to show and prove his talents.. but he will be totally wasted in Yawnion...

Its like getting Brad Pitt to star in Coronation Street!!

OMG I watched the game of Union today and it has totally depressed me even more, because IMO we are fighting a lost cause in this country trying to expand our game... The biggest problem in the development of RL is the class system in this country... ITs B**l.. If Sam wants to play infront of a load of hooray henrys dong mexican waves and singing "swing low" then good luck to him... but its the brigantes every day of the week for me...

I agree, and I have always said the same, as a product RL is far FAR better on every level. I just hope with wider exposure and more media coverage people from different locations will stand up and take notice.

His weekly wage at his club may not alter to much but why would he move to union? Easy he will be playing in front of 70k + people at least 7 times a year, more exposure to the nation. I admit I don't know SAm on a personal level but from what I have seen of him I wouldn't be surprised if this is what he is truely looking at.

Sam said to the bbc:
Where I am from people don't know what rugby union is and I am glad I have had the chance to play but I am still a rugby league player."

Its mad that over here with the better product Union gets all the media limelight while League is ignored. In Australia the NRL is the best product and outside the AFL heartlands there is no doubt which code reigns supreme and the Union powers have tried to change rule after rule to try and appeal to those who prefer the league product but it isnt working.

James O'Connor, the Wallabies stand-off, was not on the books of a league club but he is from a league background, he's from Gold Coast and supports Parramatta. He went to a school that played RU and got picked up by union as a junior. But yes with the NRL having money now he is a potential signing.

The big potential signing from RU to RL, that has been in the pipeline for a while in Aus, is Quade Cooper who is probably the biggest 'personality' in Australian RU, he's NZ born but came through the Aussie system and opted for the Wallabies rather than the All Blacks. He is still quite young but he is like a RU version of Benji Marshall. He is fast and has very good footwork and he likes to take risks and play off the cuff rugby that doesn't always come off in the structured gameplay of RU, but he looks like the type of player that would be more suited to league. If you search on youtube for Quade Cooper there will be some highlights vids so you will see what I mean. Last year Parramatta supposedly came in for him but he said he wanted to play the RU world cup before any switch.

The problem Cooper has had at the moment is he is a bit of a big mouth, he had a lot to say about New Zealand and the All Blacks (he is the most hated player when he plays in NZ as they see him as a judas), he is like Anthony Mundine was, he is controversial in the media and supremely confident in his own abilities. Earlier in the year he said he wanted $700000 a season to switch to league after the World Cup, and he had an up and down World Cup, so now league agents have warned him that he would be lucky to get half that value now. IMO Cooper just needs to rein his mouth in and mature a bit as a player and not be so brazen in his financial demands, deep down he probably wants to switch to league as he knows he is more of a league player, but it might take a year or so of maturity and a more reasonable contract request for it to happen. I reckon he could play for the Kangaroos in league though.

Quade Cooper looks like one hell of a player!

Nope I just don't get it....the only time the fans get excited whilst watching yawnion - except when they're doing the mexican wave of course - is when a try is scored or a big hit is made....why the hell aren't they watching League then!!!!!

The skill level was atrocious and clearly most of the players have given up tackling for lent early....why would anyone pay to watch this rubbish??

Happy Sam got to score a try, he should have had 3 if that big lump of a centre knew how to pass - Joel will be perfect, he cant pass either to his winger so he'll fit in perfectly.

Borefest of a match, glad Sam got to experience the true union experience - real rugby is Wigan v Saints on boxing day in the rain with the stands bouncing up and down as the match is tied at 79 minutes, not kick and clap in London.

So a pre season friendly not followed by many people outside a small geographical location in poor conditions in an unsafe stadium is more representative than a super league or championship fixture in a good quality stadium on a summer's evening in dry conditions ?

Unfortunately I watched it. I cant believe that there are people who say tht RU has better skills than RL. Unbelievably bad. Did you see the size of the Aus No3! he had eaten a fat man, he actually wobbled!. There has to be an optimum size that a man can be before he looks unathletic and cumbersome. Whatever it is I have seen a bag full of them in this game.