I wish!

Me too. I loathed the snidey cheating Tomkins of old. Let's hope he really has matured in attitude, because that's the only thing that will stop him from becoming a RL legend. If you think of the greats - Sully, Fox, Boston et al, usually there is no "side" to them.

The last thing a truly great person is is arrogant.

there were no other wigan players in the team

Lets be fair to the kid he is an incredible player we hate against us but love with us.
This kid was smashed to pieces last night and showed how tough as well as talented he is, already being touted as next years world player of the year i hear.
closest we have...

Thought Westwood was awesome too last night AND sinfield had his best game in a rep shirt

I've never bought into the hatred of Tomkins. Normally I would take issue with his "antics", but, however hypocritical it is, I posted 18 months ago that his sublime talent will make him the best player of his generation, and he is so gifted and fantastic to watch I can forgive him pretty much anything.* Scary to think how young he is too.

*Unless he injures an FC player or gets one sent off through play-acting.

I've been lucky enough to watch Sam for the past six or seven years and have never got this arrogant / snidey thing about him at all. He's always polite and has time for anyone when he's out and about. What you saw last night is the Sam Tomkins I've seen for those years. I don't think I've ever seen take as much rough stuff as he has (and always has) He's a tough little bu**ger and is so competetive, just ask Brian Noble about him.

As someone who has also seen the real greats of our game, Boston, Murphy, Whiteley, Millward etc I really think Sam can can get up there with a bit of luck. One thing about him is that it won't be from lack of effort.

It was very interesting to hear the crowd lift whenever he got the ball. I suppose the only problem is the expectation may overtake the actual. Let's all just enjoy a young man (22) who can thrill the RL fans, god knows we haven't had many for a while.

A sentiment with which I wholeheartedly concur.

If Wigan, or any other team thinks one player is worth a great deal more than any other, then the answer is simple: Give him £1 million a year and then find a way to divvy up the remainder on the rest of the squad.

The simple answer would be to agree a raising of the salary cap, then everything should be more transparent than the cock-eyed, dog's breakfast we now seem to operate.

Like him or loath him..british rugby league needs more players like him in the game whoever they play for

Over the last few weeks he has confirmed everything I already thought about him.

I, Like Mrs B, have never bought into this fashionable hating of him. As far as i'm concerned he has the lot, including that bit of edge that sometimes goes over the top. He tries to referee games, as far as i'm concerned that up to the ref to deal with. I was always taught to do as much as the ref will let you get away with.

He has been streets ahead of anyone else in SL this year and last and the only question for me was whether he could do it against the Aussies and Kiwis, and now he's put that one to bed!!

He is truly world class and is the best UK talent in the last 25 years. How can be as good as he wants to be.

As you can probably tell, i'm a huge fan lol

The RFL hands have now been forced and something has now been done to stem the flow . Now not only Tomkins but hopefully the Roby's, Briscoe's , Lomax's of our game will stay ? . Is it enough , I doubt it but at least the game is starting do something about it.

Earlier on in the year they all met up for training I meant

Liked him more this series, but still a cocky little shiite that needs the odd slap.

Must be great to see him play every week, such at a talent at 21.

I agree. Coming in to this tournament his from wasn't great and he had a lot of hype around him. Hed has definate;y stepped up and shown NZ and Aus what he's capable of. Genuine world class player for me.

No-one is that good.