No, he just wasn't given a shot even though he was blatantly ready, can't remember who we kept using instead of him, was it Thomas Coyle?

Sam scored 5 tries and got MoM on debut, then dropped for the rest of the season.

Tim Smith or Thomas Coyle were both subsequently picked ahead of him on at least a dozen occasions.

Maguire's willingness to use young talent has been massively important for us this year. Apart from anything else, it shows that he's a man of his word and that, if they play well, they'll get more and more chances.

A guy sat next to me hit the nail on the head with just how good this kid is. "Sam Tomkins would walk into ANY NRL team, even at his age" A statement I fully agree with.

Sam Tomkins is becoming a once every 20 years type of player. A Shuan Edwards, Andy Greg of the modern era. I dont think its premature to compare him to those kind of players either. Its plain for all to see that he is something very very special and is only going to get better and better.

Sam is going to be a very special RL player, who will become an all time great imo.

He was doing some talking and will end up in the leadership group, but Locky & Fielden were both very vocal yesterday as well.

Just seen the said bit of the game, and I think he has gradually grew into that role as the season as gone on, and no surprise its since he has moved to FB and he needs to order his players round and tell them where he wants them in the line.

He has a very very bright future and I wouldnt swap him for anyone.

I thought in 2008 from what I'd seen of Sam and also heard that he was "something special" from people who watch the U20's regularly that for the 1st time since Sean Edwards left in 97 Wigan potentially had the naturally brilliant stand off and leader - a born winner. In many ways Wigan never replaced Edwards - hence, maybe, the 12 years of relative famine. ( I know we had some success in 2002 and reached a few other finals and Adrian Lam was a class act).

We'll never know now how Sam would have fared in the SL if he hadn't been dropped/nobled after scoring 5 tries in the CC. Maybe he would have been smashed and had his confidence dented.

The future is so bright and we are all so full of confidence. Will Sam continue as FB, how will Finch fit in, wiil Deacon feature as a half next year, and will TL be hooker or scrum half? And that's before we see Joe Mellor who is also potentially top-notch from what I've heard. So many options. The future is Cherry and White!

Was told that a few teams a few years ago wanted to take Sam as a 18/19 year old and make him their regular half back.

Well its a good job that didnt happen.

Why are people getting hung up on the fact that he wasn't playing more in 2008?

I'm far happier that he's been brought in gradually, and we are now reaping the rewards - as Fames posted in 2008 he was younger and may well have been smashed around and suffered confidence-wise.

He is still young, and I hope in the next couple of seasons he continues his fine form and keeps his feet on the ground (though I've every confidence that he will do).

If he does then it is 100% nailed on that an NRL opportunity will come up for him - one that it'd be hard to begrudge him taking. Hopefully we might be able to sort something out whereby he would then return after a couple of seasons.

As for adding him to the leadership team; as others have said his performance and demeanor already suggests he is a natural leader. But I don't think we should pressure him into it too early - I'd be more than happy to keep him doing what he is doing so well for the time being.

You are Mike Maguire.

I am happy he didn't come in the team in 2008 under Noble, 2 years under Noble would have killed his creativity and flare.

Ahhhhh look

Think you will find that was "a duty of care" geoff

"So Sam, how does it feel being a young lad and having the whole rugby world at your feet?"

"Erm, good."

*Whole team laughs*

"Good?? Can you not come up with anything better than that??"

"Erm, really good."

He does refer to his car as a clunge magnet, so what do you expect?



I actually think Jay's got more ability than Edwards

Opposition fans already boo and hate him, they will grow to despise him the better he gets

Where was this?

The homecoming on Sunday

I agree.

He also needs to carry England for a few weeks now.

Ridiculously good player. A joy to watch in a brilliant Wigan team. If he blossoms with age, he'll be able to beat the Aussies on his own.

Well he was beating the NZ Mauri on his own the other morning

Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related

Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related

Quote ="MattyB"Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related '" [urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViacAfPzGBQ&feature=related[/url Sam tomkins seek and destroy on youtube if it gets removed

Quote ="MattyB"Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related '" [urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViacAfPzGBQ&feature=related[/url Sam tomkins seek and destroy on youtube if it gets removed

Frighteningly good that. I know people say he's a one-trick pony cos of his step but there's so much more to him than that; acceleration that leaves people for dead, timing and angles of runs that open defences and a very quick rugby brain.

Still love watching Glees's try in the GF, rugby how it should be played.

Quote ="RICHARD5LEGEND" Quote ="MattyB"Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related '" [urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViacAfPzGBQ&feature=related[/url Sam tomkins seek and destroy on youtube if it gets removed'" fantastic video, an absolute pleasure to watch that boy play rugby league and he's only 21, crazy

Quote ="RICHARD5LEGEND" Quote ="MattyB"Just found this on youtube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5FUnkto ... re=related '" [urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViacAfPzGBQ&feature=related[/url Sam tomkins seek and destroy on youtube if it gets removed'" fantastic video, an absolute pleasure to watch that boy play rugby league and he's only 21, crazy