So is Sam tomkins getting lambasted in the national press for his misdemeanour or it just happening on rlfans.

It's RL, what do you reckon?

I reckon they dont give a damn.
I hope the rl press dont go overboard with this.

You persist in asking me my view, but won't give your own. Perhaps ST will apologise next Sunday morning, but you have not indicated whether you think he should do so.

The sane thing to do for ANY player being so petulant is to tell him to stop being daft and not do it again or he'll cop a ban. The fact that he is one of the few players who's name rhymes with Spam Sponkins shouldn't change that.

Thats right.
He denied it happened, he is a GRUB of the first order.

I am looking forward to the 4 Nations, he will be targeted and exposed, space in SL will not translate to space or Park defence at Test level.

He will have swift second rowers running at him like Freight Trains.

Thread tidied, Play nicely (or don't play at all) Any further instances of the 'r' word (wtid and Warrior24 take particular note) will result in bans being issued

I only saw the Sunday Times sport supplement and after the front four pages dedicated to the England RU team, then the next pages football, you can find a half page of RL on page 11. It's actually not a bad write up and has a good photo of J Tomkins en route to his try.

It mentions: "In embracing Charnley, Tomkins blotted his coppybook in gesticulating to the Leeds fans, who had booed him during England's mid-season international at Headingly."

But it then goes on to pardon him and smooth his way to inclusion in the front pages (RU) "His vision and nifty footwork spoke more eloquently, and his steepling kick that Webb failed to gather in a jittery display in the back for Leeds led to Wigans second try by the rumbling Lima".

He'll be eating prawn sarnies and sipping pimms by the end of next season.

The Tompkins witchhunt is pathetic. No ban for me.

I think a fine and an apology would do enough.

BUT...

The fact that he's not even admitted he did it is probably worse. If he doesn't admit that, then he's hardly going to apologise for it is he? So if he doesn't admit it and apologise, then yeah he should get a ban.

Wire fans in one game ban shocker.

Did he get a ban for this?

Sam Tomkins was silly. He shouldn't have done it. He isn't the first and he wont be the last. After seeing it I reckon he might get a one match ban and a fine. However the RFL haven't been consistent with these rulings. The only player I can remember getting a ban was Dean Widders (I think) for giving his own fans the V-sign. We'll see what happens. Probably given the occasion and the huge public uproar because 'it's Sam Tomkins' will most likely see him get a ban.

Some of the reactions on here have been absolute classic though. Really impressed by the OTT nature some have when it comes to Sam Tomkins. Get a grip.

The RFL have never been consistent with this. In fact, the only consistency would be for Tomkins not to receive a ban, but he will do.

Richie Mathers/Richie Myler have given Wigan fans the '2 finger salute'. An example of Lee Briers giving the middle finger there for all to see. The irony a Wire fan should start this thread.

No Wire fan will have any real comeback for this. They'll just make a joke about it, sidestepping the blatant hypocrisy at the same time.

Just because the RFL have been consistently ignoring the issue doesn't mean they should continue to.
They've started fining coaches a lot of money this year for saying things about the referee that are against the respect policy. The same should apply to players that break the respect policy, regardless of whether or not others have gotten away with it. I think a fine is in order, but a ban only if he refuses to accept what he did and apologise for it.

Do people not think everyone is over reacting just a little?

Seeing people write "Where can i email the RFL to complain?" its abit OTT?
It was silly and he shouldnt have done it..Its not the only time it happens and it wont be the only time or sport it happens.

Put yourself in his shoes...Biggest game you've ever played in, young still learning and growing up, being boo at for putting on the England shirt, the Pressure and all the hatred towards you...Can you honestly say you would never do the same?? we all do things we regret...

The majority of people on here are Teens/Adults..

Young kids will have already learned things like this at school..You only have to look at the riots and it shows the problem in society is already around...sam doing that is not going to make your kids turn into bad people so please can we give it a rest??

As for him not knowing he did it, surely you must consider the amount of pressure and adrenaline rushing through him...It's easy to forget..I've had a few rows before and forgot i said something or didnt mean to say it.

For any football fans..Didier drogba made a silly outburst in the heat of the moment acouple of years back on TV, if you've ever met him hes a top bloke and very polite and has alot of sportmanship in games... People will always do silly things in the heat of the moment..This is Life. (abit off topic but its still the same point..just because he makes a silly mistake does not make him a "rat/runt" and all of the other names hes been called.)

You've given plenty of reasons why he might have done. But they don't make him excused, do they?

If it's something he shouldn't have done, it needs to be dealt with. That's the be-all and end-all. Everything else you've said makes no difference other than describe why it might have happened and why it isn't as serious as something else. It's this way of thinking that worries me sometimes, as people seem reluctant to do anything about some things that are wrong because there is worse out there.

You say we all do things that we regret, yet don't think anything should happen. Why would he regret it then? What reason should he have to regret it? Are you saying he should be allowed to do this every week?

I was sat near Tomkins in the stand when Cas played Wigan earlier this year (he was rested after the Exiles game). That day, he was nothing short of the model professional. Great with all the kids, signed autographs throughout, smiled for photographs and generally came across as a very polite and decent young man.
However, it doesn't excuse his actions and I think a warning letter would be appropriate.

This is what annoys me the most. He actually does come across as a very likeable person off the field. Why can't he act accordingly on it? Why can't he show that the boo boys aren't getting to him in a professional way, and maybe he will win them over? If he doesn't want to, or doesn't care about them, then he can't complain (and react out of turn) when he gets verbal from the crowd.

I really admire Tomkins as a player, but not as a person. He could be the poster boy and biggest star of RL in this country for decades if he sorts his act out. The RFL need to work with him on his professionalism.

I remember once at Odsal when I shouted to a below par visiting Kevin Iro that in my opinion he wasn't operating to his usual standards. He can clearly be seen on camera tutting to himself. Funny how no one was baying for his blood that day.

Normally a gesture like Tomkins' should be a 2 game ban and heavy fine, but as it was done to the Leeds fans he should just be let off with a warning.

I don't disagree with that, but when do you suddenly draw the line? This could be a good start I suppose. I don't think Kyle Eastmond got a ban when he did it to his own fans.



Well he has now been fined. The Wigan club/Sam Tomkins have made an official apology. Case closed.

I think Eastmond was suspended by the club. Doing it to your own fans after a match is a bit different to doing to opposition fans during a game though I think

Edited for accuracy.

That would be fair too