Yes. But doing it to the opposition fans is worse. It is less professional.

No it becomes a ban for sticking 2 fingers up at the opposition fans and potentially causing an issue, something you club has acted on. But you believe the governing body should not follow this up even though your own club has? Just because they have not previously done it before are you saying they should turn a blind eye again just because it is ST and he may feel victimised?

The difficulty from the RFL's point of view here is that here is a kid that come the autumn will be thrust into the limelight as one of England RL's most potent weapons against the southern hemisphere giants, and yet right now is being pilloried by fans all over the place, who will be expected to support England unreservedly in the Four Nations tournament.What the RFl do next is a very tricky issue for them regarding how they deal with this incident.

As I've already said, this has happened before on numerous occasions and no ban has been given so they would be acting consistently, why suddenly is it a banning issue rather than a warning about future conduct?

Wigan have rightly decided it reflected badly on the club and made their decision.

He would not have been booed had he not been going to Union so none of it would have happened. However, it did and the situation became untenable. The suspension resolved it. If the RFL is wise it will act because otherwise the situation might become untenable with Tomkins as well. It might not either; it might all blow over. But if justice is not seen to be done then that could cause difficulties in the future.

Justice will be done if the RFL treat Tomkins in the same way they have treated others for the same offence.

Are you on glue?

Was the other occasions on national tv at a games showpiece? Not that it makes any difference as the others should have been acted on, but the fact remains as shown in your picture if the RFL have to set some sort of ruling here

What is with the need for altering the spelling of team names ? Dire , Stains , Whinos , Dulls etc etc . It really is pathetic and childish .

The Briers and Myler incidents both happened during TV games, I posted the Briers one on the last page. The RFL have therefore already set the ruling.

I have seen very little to make me smile on RLfans since Saturday. But that has made my night.

Awesome post. Thanks.

IMO it's less professional to react to opposition fans but it is more stupid to react to your own. Potentially a career suicide in fact.

A bit of friendly banter that doesn't hurt, inconvenience or spoil anyone else's enjoyment.

But none of those games was the showpiece final of the season being broadcast on free to air and internationally having been discussed by the pundits and complained about to the broadcasters. A slightly different context, I think, especially when the 'offender' is touted as a poster boy.

What he said

Young testosterone charged lads in impudent gesture crowd enraging insult worse than rape incest heresy shocker.

Andy Leeds fan 22 keyboard warrior disgusted ban him for life game disrepute little scrotum hate boo play for England Aussie leg break hope don't care never happened in my day.

Dave 31 Wigan lots of pies Ryan Bailey late knees jealous Lee Briers one finger salute Leon Pryce broken bottle leave our Sam alone.

Rob 54 Saints for Super League that day Terry Newton elbow Lee Smith gesture come on if you think you're hard enough Leeds fans arrogant swines Hull fans posts Huddersfield

Loinertillidie broken record change it bored who cares move on tomorrow new day this one late Tara

Are you seriously suggesting that disciplinary matters should be determined by who is broadcasting the game, it's importance and the profile of the player?

Perhaps Jonh was right?

So what you are saying is the rules of the game should change for finals?

In that case i would hope from now on all games shown on terrestrial tv, rugby league players are banned from picking up the ball and only have to use their feet.

The last two days of internet crapola summarised in one. Excellent post Sir.

Yes, when the matter is one of conduct. That's exactly right. The reputation of the sport is important at all times but it becomes more important in the high profile games and when high profile players are involved. The bigger the profile, the greater the impact. The bigger the player's profile, the greater the player's responsibility.

Like I said, I think you are being obtuse.

Jonh was right then.

It might be a bit left-field for some, but I'm of the opinion all players should be treated the same. Lets hope this new concept catches on.

Genius.

So just to confirm you are actually advocating a different set of rules for different matches and different players?

A yes or no answer will suffice.

Mind you we have been there with Cunningham, Senior and Bailey in the past in relation to "special" disciplinary treatment so you may well be on to something.

On an unrelated topic are you on the disciplinary committee when it comes to performance enhancing substances involved in rugby league?

Once a rat, always a rat.

Looking at Wigan28/Leeds18 Andy's avatar it appears he condones the rat's action!

As far as Wigan disciplining him, they are just trying to lessen the RFL's response.

Best post I've seen for ages, good work

Looking at my avatar it would appear one of us has a sense of humour.