Good post ,and good coaching and common senses from Sam Tomkins .

Riddell played well. Replay the game and watch it. I've got back and watched it again.

Sam Tomkin's defence was superb.

Did anyone else notice that in attack, he was on the shoulder of the player carrying the ball ala Edwards?

When Carmont was heading for the try line, Tomkins instictively moved from the busy inside to the space outside in case Carmont was caught.

The young guy's a natural.

Yes, I'm surprised Noble didn't take him straight off! I mean, support play? Running on the shoulder of the ball carrier? Picking the right space to run in? Shocking!

Wasn't it great to see



Doubt in the defenders minds, space created

Wonder if Noble told him we'll have less of that next week

Having that as my sig

Sam was a star again yesterday he is the best half back we have had since Edwards
Recorded the match so going to go down and watch it before lunch from what i saw at the stoop it was a great game but god that beer gives me a bad head

I think that's jumping the gun a bit to be honest after a 50 minutes of super league, 80 of challenge cup and a few reserves and friendlies

I think we would all like to believe that but things like that should only be said a few years down the line

Well i don't have you not watched him in the Reserves and academy this lad is an instinctive Half back

It's obvious the lad is a cracking talent but saying he's the best since Edwards this early on is ludicrous and just adds to the already large amount of pressure on his shoulders

Some of the expectations that are put on Sam already almost make me feel sorry for him

He loves the club and already know the pressure of playing in the halves for Wigan he has grown up knowing that and as you saw yesterday and the 28th December and the Challenge cup game he loves playing for the club and thrives on the pressure just as Edwards did

I agree with that but saying hes the best since Edwards is a pretty big statement and just adds to the expectation already placed on him

I think we can both agree that we would like to see him end up as successful as Edwards though

100%

His technique in defence makes Smith honnestly look like a schoolboy.

Great debut from Shuan Tomkins

It's hard not to get over excited with Sam Tomkins because he looks to have everything including the most important thing which is imo a good attitude.

If he is given the chance to make a starting spot his own i think he'll prove his worth very quickly and in 12 months we'll be talking about a genuine star player.

Nobby made a right call for a change yesterday when it comes to a youngster in keeping him on the pitch ahead of Tim Smith. His hand was forced into playing Ainscough last week and into picking Sam yesterday but he didn't have to keep him on the pitch(although he'd have been crazy not to).

A couple of injuries and that decision may well have kept Noble in a job! now to turn it into a Fergie style moment(when Mark Robbins saved his job with a last minute winner in the fa cup 20+years ago) and go on to dominate

Tomkins and Ainscough were great and I thought famos amos looked a lot sharper too.

Can anyone help me out on what "thrutch" means?

Just found this by googling "thrutch"

"One of the best all-purpose Lanky words. A personal favourite of mine...

It means to strain excessively on the lavatory. As in "I were thrutchin' fer ages but nowt happened."

Or, as in "Give it a bit of a thrutch." A push, a knock, a bang..."

Work hard.

In the context it was used, give ball to forward, forward puts head down takes ball up with aimless force. The thrutch should be the application of the force, push etc. Repeat until tackle six then kick.

Back on track.

Sam is a very intelligent player. He reads the game well, note his defensive positioning when the kick was knocked back in the corner. Also watch what his did when Carmont scored. He purposely drifted towards the left hand touchline to give Carmont a pass option and make the Quins defenders tackle decision more difficult.

Anyone who has watched Sam play at academy and reserve level will not be surprised at his performance yesterday.

However, as usual from me a word of caution.
Let's bring him on slowly, preferably from the bench as was done yesterday.

That way he could be a Wigan great for a long long time.

He has certainly got what it takes. Backing up the runner was very edwards'esque. This is something that has been sadly lacking from Noble's coaching. It takes a lad with natural instinct to do the right stuff. Lets just hope it doesn't get coached out of him.

As for creating too much expectation - this lad can handle it. He is a potential future Wigan great without doubt in my mind but having said that I won't be expecting too much too soon. He needs to be nurtured but not wrapped up in cotton wool either. I have been watching the game long enough to know a special talent when I see one. Ainscough is another.

After a depresssing start to the season it takes two young Wigan lads to light up the scene and bring some much needed hope (and potentially save Noble's bacon). The fans will give them plenty of support and understanding for sure. I hope there is more where they came from! I spoke with some Saints fans this morning and even they remarked at what a good future these lads have.

I've been bloody waiting for him to get his debut then they give it him on the first game of the season I miss! Very glad he went well, how did he score his try? Might try to get hold of the game

Sam didn't score. Look [url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/page.php?id=361here[/url on Tuesday, highlights'll be on.

Sam Tomkins was fantastic last night and a real boost to the side when he came on. I think he answered those who questioned his size by muscling up in defence whilst also being fearless in taking on the opposition.

Now he has his 1st team debut, lets hope Noble keeps him on the bench and brings him off the bench like he did at Quins and slowly introduce him into the starting line up.