Now I'm not a fan of the clubs either of these players play for. But there's been a debate raging on today on the Facebook Super League page about who is the better player out of the two in question.

Wigan fans are saying Tomkins is a far superior player with supposedly better career stats whilst others disagree and point out Barba is a former Dally M winner and Australian Grand Final winner whereas Sam flopped on the big NRL stage.

Who would you take to your club if offered either? I think Tomkins isn't the player he was so I'd take Barba everytime.

Tough one.


Would you take the best player in the league or someone who is probably not even the best full back at his club

Sam Tomkins used to be a fantastic player. Now he's just a good one, not seen enough of Barba to judge him, but right now, he is one helluva player.

Barba easy Tomkins is a shadow of his former self

Totally agree. Have watched all British players out here since arriving in 1968 and he is the biggest disappointment by far in his time at the Warriors. Was a great player before he came out here but has only been average ever since.

Barba. Tomkins doesn’t look the same player he was before his NRL stint/flop.

Not even close. I wouldn't have Tomkins in our current team. He would want a huge pay packet for an average player.

No contest, Barba everyday of the week. The same question a few years ago before Tomkins went to the NRL would be a different answer though I think. Not been the same player from what I’ve seen since he came back from there

Agreed, does not have the pace he once possessed, or the agility and balance which is what made him the great player he was. The knee injury he suffered a few years back really seems to have knocked him both physically and mentally.

Still a half decent player, but for me is way behind Barba ability wise.

Both in there prime its not even close. Barba at his best was incredible. Tomkins was very good as well but Barba had far more highlight reels.

Predictably, Barba every day of the week; Tomkins was at one point unplayable in SL, but post injury and NRL flop, looks a shadow of his former self.

Yeah is his prime he tore Super League up. Was fantastic and had such acceleration which injuries have taken away.

I honestly can't believe this is being asked. Barba World star. Tomkins Super League player.

Barba = Man
Tomkins = Boy

In a few years time Tomkins may catch up ?

World Star? He's never been selected for either the Australian or Origin squads.

So who is the best then Brian?

Barba on current ability.

Saints v Wigan sold signs just gone up.

Great news with four days to go.

He was only up against Billy Slater for the No 1 Jersey.

There are a whole host of fullbacks that would be Fullback for Australia before Barba - Tedesco, Boyd, Trbojevic,probably even play Inglis at 1 before Barba.

The ill feeling that still lingers towards Tomkins from his displays between 2009-2013 means very few fans give rational views on his ability. He was absolutely sensational in those seasons, every bit as good as what Barba has produced for Saints but he did it over 5 seasons and not just a handful of games. His time in the NRL is also judged a lot of the time through the eyes of people who wanted to see him fail. He had one good season in the NRL (where he finished with as many trys and assists as both Billy Slater and Greg Inglis) and one ruined by injury.

Fast forward to his second spell in superleague and it’s been ruined by injury also up until this season. He’s had a full pre season for the first time in donkeys years and whilst he’s not the player he was in 2009-2013, he is still an exceptional talent who oozes class. He really is playing fantastically well for us so far this year. He’s not got the pace of his spell pre NRL but his ball skills and rugby brain certainly haven’t faded. He must be a dream to play on the outside of.

Is he better then Barba? No probably not but has he had a better career? I’d say he’ll sit down in twenty years and be happier with his lot then Barba will be.

You mean Trbojevic the prop forward???

"Jake Trbojevic (born 18 February 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League. He plays at prop and lock."

Credit - Wikipedia

No, he means Tom , his younger brother.

yeah I doubt it

Quote ="Trinity18"yeah I doubt it'" Might I recommend the player profiles on the Manly website or even wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Trbojevic Good enough to play twice for Australia last year.

Quote ="Trinity18"yeah I doubt it'" Might I recommend the player profiles on the Manly website or even wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Trbojevic Good enough to play twice for Australia last year.