You can put messi up against any of those now.

Comparing generations is always tricky as numerous factors will affect the discussion however anybody doubting messi either doesn't understand football or hasn't seen enough of messi.

Time will tell - he is still a young player in a once dominant club side - he has yet to show the club form at international level. The next world cup will the platform to show his greatness - all the others have proved their quality at the highest level something Messi has yet to do.

His form over the last year for Argentina has been reminiscent of his barca form. There is a strong case to be made for the champions league been a stronger competition than the World Cup much as it pains me to say it and messi has dominated that for years.

What's Sinfield then?

The discussion is about tomkins not sinfield.

Roy Race.

The person who you are obsessed with.

A much better person than you

Tomkins is a very good player indeed. I personally don't believe he is the top player in this competition at all though. There have certainly been many better players in this comp over super league era.

If you were picking a team that you wanted as your team, i am not sure he would be in the first five names picked, and yes I know you normally start at fullback.

Sal is right though on players bumping up crowds. I don't think he has used a good example for this though with Tomkins. Not because he is not an exciting player, a bums on seats players, but simply becuase he has progressed from the academy and worked his way up. The crowds tend to flock when a signing is made, or the player is new. So for New Zealand Warriors, yes he would probably be an extra crowd revenue for them.

Who do you think is the top player in the comp?

How do we decide someone is a star player? What makes some one a star? For mine it is an amalgam of ability, attitude, perception and public awareness both positive and negative, but time and the perspective it brings also plays a part. I think Tomkins will be a loss to Wigan, but one from which they will bounce back. I think the attention he brings will also be a loss to the game as a whole in the UK. But RL has much bigger problems to worry about than the loss of one "Star" to the NRL. As others have said at least he hasn't gone to Union, yet.

I think there are a few extremely good players. Some that would be better in a better team, so therefore an unfair comparison.

Not that I think he is one, but I honestly think that if you swapped Eden and Tomkins that Eden would have the same sort of comments and creaming as Tomkins gets. That doesn't make him a better player as such, but just that Tomkins does have a good foundation on what to show his talents.

I would Hardaker in that example, but he does have the foundation to show his talents.

Whoever it was it didn't take a genius to make that prediction and I don't think he/she had to wait until last night's excellent game for an example. Just a pity relatively few among the previous 2,999 SL Regular Round fixtures came close to matching that level of intensity - especially so over the last couple of seasons.

However, McGuire's mistake was that he initially dummied the pass to McShane [uran behind Clarkson[/u who had parked himself in the Wigan defensive line before releasing the ball. While there were several decisions to make last night I don't recall any involved 'crossing' which always has been a major issue - regardless of the written laws.

Same video referee (Ian Smith) last night as well. Was good to hear the former referee's controller struggling to convince even himself that he understands the current interpretations.

Its an interesting question. Depending on what mood I was in he may be my top player or not, but he'd certainly be in the top 5. The thing is that different players offer different qualities.

If it was playground picking, I would probably pick him first, even if he is not the 'best' player, simply because he can do what no other player in the league can do, at a level they can't reach. In the other areas (strength, stamina, organisation) there are other contenders closer to the top.

tomkins was good even when noble was in charge of wigan and we wasn't good then, so the argument he's only good because he plays in a good team doesn't wash for tomkins.

But that wasn't what was said was it? there is no need to get all defensive. Read again what was put.

You hit on exactly why it can be very, very hard to conclusive say who the best player is.

For me, I look at some of the things Tomkins does out of absolutely nothing off tap penalties, loose ball, broken field or just taking on the line when not a lot seems to be on. Granted a defence is always going to behave a little differently when it's been under pressure, but some of those things I don't see in any other player in the league.

I don't see enough of Greg Eden, I've probably seen him play 7 or 8 matches in full and the rest is highlights. Based on what I have seen I wouldn't put him close to the same class as Tomkins. Exciting player, plenty of talent, but not shown me anything that makes me think he's in the top drawer, even at SL level.

I wonder also why his last move was from a top 5-6 club to Hull KR, who will do well to make the 8. I'm sure he'd look better at Wigan, but would he get the same rave reviews as Tomkins gets? Impossible to know for sure but I don't think so. If Tomkins does leave and Wigan go shopping for a replacement, I also doubt Greg Eden will be high up their wish list.

I am known to be wrong though, and it may be that the games I've seen have been off days.

Strange he hasn't gone to Oz, but maybe the offer was too good to turndown. Would have thought if you decide to opt to NRL, the full effect of being in the comp with a team is felt more in OZ and therefore the experience better. He must have his reasons though!

Best of luck to the lad, I hope he is successful and makes some decent money. It's a relatively short career with a good chance of some injuries along the way. Compared with the money some of the buffoons receive in the round ball game the money our top players get is derisory .

What about this clause not talking to or signing for another club for 3 years?

With this and Whitehead's hissy fit I honestly believe that the contracts players sign aren't worth the paper they're written on.

If it exists then Wigan hold those cards - it's up to them how they play them to their supporter base, media and potential suitors.

Its a done deal according to Dean Bell.

That would be me. I didn't see the game but I am really not surprised, the way Wigan run their attack they were going to be the obvious choice.

I'm waiting for Hugh McGahan to confirm/deny.