Haha my thoughts exactly! There is a myth, exagerrated by people that don't watch any NRL, that every player in Aus is automatically better than anything we have.

Much better quality players during that period who had better skills in running plays creating intensive games.
Todays game is based on stopping momentum (intensity) by slowing down the play the balls by wrestling, lying on, interference etc. most teams rely on a couple of drives and a speculative kick.
Referee standards are now much lower with confusing stoppages and longer video decisions.
Take 5 of the best from each Bradford, Saints and Leeds during that period against 5 of the best during this latter period there would be a very large disparity in intensity what these teams could provide.

you've already had them. Widnes and London.

I love Sam Tomkins, his a superstar and one of the top #5 players in the world. I dont think there is any doubt Slater is the best full back in the game. Not to mention Australia have other world class full backs such as Greg inglis, ben barba and and jarryd Hayne.

If Sam said he wanted to go to Australia he would have many clubs trying to sign him!! I think his probably the only current British back who NRL clubs would want. Ryan Hall as well actually.

Rubbish

There are plenty fairly average backs in the NRL.

Wigan are running hot right now, great to watch and have a genuine chance of winning silverware this year,as do 3 or 4 other teams this year i think.
But... im relectuant to get carried away as the same thing happened last season with Warrington who looked awesome for most of the year only to run out of steam.

I'm just glad we're back to playing top quality rugby league.

That's why there are about 5 NRL clubs trying to sign Tom Briscoe, but none want Hall

Wigan are on fire this season, Tomkins is a pleasure to watch. It will be interesting to see how they go next season if they lose both their h/backs though.

Couple of little known fullbacks in Aus aren't bad, Slater and Stewart you heard of them!!!!

There was every chance you would beat Widnes too!! haha

About 5, thought it was just the Sharks? Deal done apparently.
Wests tried to get Hall couple of years ago by the way.

Not saying there isn't. Still doesn't change the current scenario where the Australians don't seem to be interested in signing many backs from super league.

Isn't hall on a big contract @ Leeds so no going anywhere?

Fev Rovers...shortly to be crowned European Club Champions.

Clearly much closer to Barcelona than Wigan are

Widnes are the Barcelona of rugby league. just ask huddersfield.

Tomkins IS the best rugby player in the world.

Are you serious?

I mean he's very, very good, but thats a big claim!

Thurston, Inglis, etc,etc,etc

Slater, Thurston, Cam Smith, Gallen, Marshall, S Johnson, Hayne, Lyon......

Tomkins needs to test himself in the NRL to find out if he is world class standard, in attack he is excelllent but in defence he is only average. In the NRL I would suspect there would be less gaps and one on one opportunities, in defence he would probably be under pressure from a more skilful high ball with a boom tackle a split second after he receives he ball. He,s got it too easy in superleague at the moment.

Slater is awesome, granted, but he's more of a genetic freak than Tomkins. Tomkins has more rugby nous.

Cam Smith, for me, is Tomkins' closest challenger.

I've said Tomkins is the best player in the world since this time last year. I've never seen a player such a cut above the rest of his peers.

I think Sam Tomins is very freakish, in his balance and flexibility, there was a try against HKR a few weeks back, where despite the attempts of about 7 players to tackle him he seemed to slip out of every tackle. Yes you might point to bad defending, BUT it was also alot about being able to slip out of tackles that no one else in SL can. Even though his top speed would be matched by a few in SL, His pace over the first 15 meters is great, a bit like Jason Robinson.

Slater is a great player, possibly the best in the world. But like 99% of fullbacks (Tomkins included) he is also prone to a few defensive errors, the best example being in the 2008 WC Final.

Its very difficult to gauge if Tomkins is the best player in the world, however he would definetly be in my top 5.

Thurston to me is the best half back in the world. His decision making and timing of the pass is spot on pretty much all the time. If I had to pick one half back to win my side a game I would always pick JT.

Daily cherry-evans looks super talented and Shaun Johnson looks like a freak. Amazing balance and when he goes to the line you see the confusion he causes in the defensive line. They wait that extra half a second to make a decision and the kid has a great pass on him. Obviously he makes errors but his so young its expected.

I think you can easily make a point for Tompkins being in the top 5 in the world. His very consistent and he does things which other players in super league cannot. Was right behind that try at the etihad and just the burst of pace and acceleration over the first 15 yards is something else.

At test level we dont see the same tomkins but England don't have the halves which can get him into those dangerous positions.

You can take Hayne out of there, he's been awful for the last 2 years.

Cringeworthy thread to have halfway through the season. I hope Wigan win everything just so this isn't dredged up in October.

I'm keeping my feet firmly on the ground. On current form nobody can touch us, but form is temporary and all that...we shall see come the end of the season, but I do agree with the original point that Wigan are the most entertaining side by far this year but it has been compounded by a less aggressive Wire and the stuttering of Saints, Leeds and now Hudds.

The Barcelona of RL?

God, the Wigan arrogance is back.

They win a few games and we are now expected to bow to this lot.