From a neutral point of view I think him playing at full back allows him more freedom to generate some speed before he meets the first line of defence. There were a number of times where we kicked today and by the time the defensive line was up on him he was already motoring and a side step or a shimmy later and he was through the defence or at least allowing you a quick play the ball whilst we were still trying to get the defence set.

Has Roby not ran over that in any match? He usually makes a good amount of yards.

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Roby made 281m against Wakefield. Hopefully see tomorrow if Sam's beaten that.

Sam was superb today. Great bit of skill for Charnley's try. Wish he could have got over himself after that solo effort a few minutes beforehand.

Where this myth that Sams defense is weak comes from i dont know. His defense is excellent for his size. Of course if someone breaks through our line with support, 9 times out of 10 they are gonna get past him, like anyone else in that position. If it was a 1 on 1 though I would have confidence everytime. Still got that vivid image in the grand final of his 1 v 1 tackle on Matty Smith. He would be more than fine at 6 in regards to tackling. Which is where he should play

He made some cracking 1 on 1 tackles in the play-off semi final at Leeds last year!

I do not have a problem with Sams defence, his ability under the high all is not the best, but at Sl level it is acceptable.

I personally feel he needs to get his hands on the ball as much as possible in an attacking position. At 1 he relies on others to get the ball to him, at 6 he is the master of his own destiny.

i completly agree,
i also think that he is a player that plays on instinct rather than thinking about the play, he just does it and it works, i dont think he knows what he is going to do next let alone everyone else.
if he is at full back he is met everytime with a wall of players, when he is at 6 he is up in the line, loads of protection, and he can read the game better that way, and mayb this will help get rid of his greedy side.

He saved a try today from a big fella running at the line...

Sam's defence is superb!
I remember one set last season where he made every single tackle!

Forget which match it was in but I bet someone on here can remember it. Hes superb regardless of his size

Just depends, once again on the structure of the team, I just fear Sam would be too much of a provider as a first receiver whereas as a FB he's running onto the ball almost given a free role in attacking linking up in the line to where he feels he can do most damage.

Until we get a strong FB I feel he's best there. Sadly, for whatever reason Roberts isn't even shinning in the reserves.

I feel you watch the NRL as I do, such a different class of FB to what we have over here currently.

Sam for me is being used as a "best fit" NRL style fullback rather than a natural actual fullback.

Widdop would be a great signing for any team next year for mine, having a great season at 6 for the Storm, would be more than happy to sacrifice Finch who had a good game today for him.

Aye I would love for us to sign Widdop. Finch could be going back to aus so Widdop would be ideal IMO.

I watched the Storm v Pathers game and Storm v NZ Warriors recently, I was very impressed with Widdop, My choice for 6 for England.

You can see Madge molding Sam into an almost Slater/Hayne attacking FB, at times we even run the same plays as Storm.

Obviously you know I was all for trying Sam at FB, I feel it's worked, at times he can come up into the line and act as a 1st or second receiver from that position. However, it was it was my choice we'd bring in a top FB and move Sam to 6 as a true second receiver, give him practically a free role in attack.

Unless hes got a real desire to move back to England, after his form in the first few rounds of the NRL I cant see Widdop going anywhere tbh.

Agreed, I think his close family are also over there. It'll be his home.

Yesterday, Wakefield and their fans were treated to a master-class by Sam. Yes, he can be greedy and selfish, but thats often found in legends of whatever sport you see. TBH dont really care where he plays, as long as he's in a Wigan shirt. Replacing Lockers as the boo boy of opposition fans is a mark of the fear other supporters have of him, and justifiably so.

Not meaning to stir, but that simply isn't true.

There are stacks of talented players in SL who don't get the stick Tomkins gets. He gets stick because of how he behaves on the pitch, not because he's a class act. Nobody was booing and abusing Danny McGuire when he was ripping it up for Leeds, or Pat Richards on his way to man of steel, or James Roby for Saints recently, or Vainakolo or Sam Burgess for Bulls, or Rangi Chase for Cas etc etc.

He gets stick because he has more than a slight tendency to cheat. I know you'd rather it was purely because he's a class act, but I'm afraid it just isn't.

FWIW I think he's an absolutely tremendous player by the way.

Name one thing he did on Friday that was "cheating"

Danny McGuire is a bigger cheat ask the Rugby Gods!

Running past all those Saints players and running further than any other player in the game. It shouldn't be allowed, Jon Wilkin, John Kear and Garry Heatherington will be furious.

He doesn't cheat tho?

Stupid argument on your part really as Sam is CONSTANTLY being hit with cheap shots, high tackles and sly knees. No other fans ever mention this however?

Sam maybe a lot of things but he's not a dirty player.

Since Ablett's hit on Sam last year and a ref that allowed the Leeds man to stay on the field it has been open season for every team and their cheap shot merchants to try and take his head off. Hull FC and Willie Manu were best of the lot!

If Sam tries to gain an advantage so be it. All teams and players do it!
Leeds have three men in the tackle then the ball drops to the floor, the ref gives a knock on when tv pictures always without fail show it was reefed.
Wire do it by having a man on the shoulder of the ball carrying player preventing would be tacklers from bringing him to ground.
Saints party trick is having a hand in at the ptb. Ball goes to ground and a knock on given when again tv pictures show the ptb was interfered with.

Of course to opposition fans he cheats and no other player cheats, ever, especially from their own team.
The other mattter is that opposition fans wish he was their player!

Absolute class yesterday. Any supporter who says they wouldn't have him in their team is either a complete moron or just a plain and simple liar. Best individual display I've seen at belle vue for quite some time.

Every player in the league cheats/bends the rules whenever they think they can get away with it. Sam tomkins gets highlighted because he plays for a club that most people hate for one reason or another. Sam has not done anything that we havent seen before. People try snapping his head off but people make out that him clamping arms etc is a bigger crime!! Get real



All the people slagging him seem to like it when players are dishing it out to Sam but when Sam takes revenge they start crying!