Quote I am happy at Wigan. I wouldn't leave now for any money. But there are things in my game that could work in union. It would be a test.' '" www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... rrior.html

Quote I am happy at Wigan. I wouldn't leave now for any money. But there are things in my game that could work in union. It would be a test.' '" www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyl ... rrior.html

Now if only we can get him some face paint, trunks & boots with tassles, he'll be the real deal!

'It is something I would like to do in the future,' he said. 'It has a massive profile. I would love the international part… 80,000 people there. I am happy at Wigan. I wouldn't leave now for any money. But there are things in my game that could work in union. It would be a test.'


As I stated last week, he would be mad not to go to RU in a few years.

That's a good piece.

Just emphasises how much of an attraction Union must be because of it's international programme.

DON'T DO IT SAM!!!!!!!

This is why IL's musings about giving his players 2 years in the NRL as part of their contract with Wigan must become a reality. Losing players for good to a different sport or for 2 years when they could come back as a better player is a no-brainer.

Sam wants his own flag:

True, and the chances of international RL ever catching up are zero. In 8 years time, he'd still be playing to crowds of 25,000 at Headingley and being booed by a group of kn0bheads in the south stand.

He expresses some frustration that RL players like himself don't have any significant media profile and the level of recognition they deserve as sportsmen. I think for our top tier of players, that is the main attraction of the other code.

"Watching Tomkins play rugby right now is as exciting as anything in sport. A young player in only his second full season in the game, the Wigan full-back is perhaps destined for the brighter lights of rugby union one day."
Typical Southern bias. There's nothing bright about Rugby Union.

let's just enjoy him whilst he's here for the foreseeable future, and have these threads when he's actually decided to move on eh?



what about that stade francias pink kit?

Loved his quote about some footballers like Joey Barton taking acting lessons.

Good interview from him and again he comes across as pretty humble and respectful.

lets not forget, its the day before the CC Final of which wigan are part of. its all media and coverage. nothing more.

at the end of the day for now he's a wiganer through and through and thats all that matters and he will be with us next year and the year after etc if he sees his contract. after that, who could blame him. a rugby league career isn't big money like union is and i'd consider doing the same if i wa in his or any other league players' shoes.

but again, its all media hype before the big game tomorrow

This

Some one said on here he'd never go to NRL or Union for homesick reasons and summat else for union, but if i were him, when the time is right, i would go for it. Can't be blamed, it's a shame for our game, but nobody can blame the players.

If some one offered me double or tripple to do the same job i am doing now (pretty much) i wouldn't think twice and nobody on here would.

Just hope if and when it happens he conducts himself in a better light than eastmond did, and respect the game that made him.

He probably had to say that to get in the Mail.

And I love this bit - It’s so much bigger than rugby league and I can’t see a valid reason for that. Just to watch the game itself there is no reason why it should be.

Martin Offiah become a household name due to playing Rugby League, Im sure Sam can do the same we just need the RFL to get their heads out of their @rses for a change.

Get someone on board at the RFL who has contacts within media companies and spread the good word.

How crap was the advert for the Challenge Cup Final on the BBC? Seriously I would have prefered the Henderson Gill try in 85, just show that.

Don't go to yawnion Sam, Edgeley Park raining and muddy on a thursday night in February isn't the 'bright lights' of union.

As I said on the VT, a marquee player scheme needs to be brought in so rich clubs like yours can break the salary cap on a star player.

That photo of Lockers and Sinfield with the Challenge Cup might be the campest thing I've ever seen!

"There may be brashness in some of Tomkins' play but when we met this week I encountered no conceit, only an engaging, accommodating and driven sportsman. "

I think this has become more apparent this year. I'm actually growing to quite enjoy the cockiness of the kid. He reminds me of Naseem Hamed, lots of quite brash, cocky behaviour, but with the skills to back it up. I think he's astute enough to realise that an angry opponent is one who makes mistakes too.

I had to laugh last week when he taunted Kearney as he went in for a try. Kearney tried to clobber him after he put the ball down, but he couldn't even catch him to do that.

I hope the kid has a mysterious off day tomorrow, but I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes against the Aussies this year.

I'm not to be honest. Unless there's been a huge change in emphasis in England's style, i.e. five one-out drives and a crap kick, we won't see anything close to resembling the Sam Tomkins we've seen in a Wigan shirt this season. Which is a massive shame. Tomkins is good enough to build an entire attacking structure around, which is pretty much what Wigan have done because we have a coach that recognises his ability. I doubt McBanana has either the ability or knowledge to do the same

Wrong, it's the second campest thing ever, just look at the ISC adverts on the right of your screen and the picture of Jamie Peacock is the campest thing ever.

Couldn't agree more... it is obvious from the article that ultimately he wants some "Celebrity Status" so if to keep him we have to put him on A question of sport every week then IMO thats what we need to do.. We need to give him little reason to go and many reasons to stay.. My enjoyment depends on it!!!

Agreed. We’ll get steamrolled in all the games bar the welsh one, Tomkins will get the blame and wire/saints fans will deem him to be ... because you’re not a good player if you can’t score 5 tries in a game against Australia apparently.

But I imagine he’d cut England to bits if he was Australia’s #1 though

There is little doubt in my mind that Sam will eventually go to Rugby Union.

Reasons,
1) He will probably be able to earn at least double what he can playing Rugby League and will become a millionaire

2) He could get International recognition for his talent, by playing in front of up to 80,000 spectators abut six times a year.

And do you know what, I wouldn't blame him.
From the RL board, to the paying spectators we all share the blame, particularly the International game.

Not long ago we were playing in front of 50,000 and 60,000 crowds. We had scheduled tours. Sadly the Superleague has seen the International game become a non entity. Ask most fans if they would rather see England /GB win an International series or their club win Superleague? They have voted with their feet.


Then we have the salary cap which was supposed to make the game more competitive, I don't think it is but one thing is certain we are not producing the quality we did (for whatever reason)

When we were in Australia for the 2008 World Cup I put these points forward and stated that you could have competitive match between two two amateur teams (St. Pats v St. Judes for example) but the standard wouldn't be as good.

The other sad thing is that if Sam does go to Rugby Union than there will be some spectators actually pleased.
Sad isn't it?

It's pathetic. The RFL should start using the profits they make to secure players like Sam, Roby, Graham and put them on central contracts. Write into their central contract that they are the faces of English RL and they have to do promo work to forward the game.

Mark my words, It's already more or less agreed. A lot sooner than what people on here think too. Look out for Joel to join him too.