I travelled over to Wigan last night and although we lost I enjoyed the game. I chose to watch Mr Tomkins closely and was disturbed by his role in the game. Although being crocked early and limping about the pitch he still had an influence on the game.
This was evident in his repeated tirade to officials at any decision that went against him and his team mates. At one point he even demanded that Matty Smith - his partner in crime - return to the ref to remonstrate after already giving him a right mouthful. Again, at one point Tomkins approached and directed his frustration at a linesman. To top it all he had a go at Aurona implying by his gestures that he was a tad overweight - I waited in vain for Tinaru to tw#t him in a tackle.

This player is of course lauded by Sky and away from rugby he seems quite a decent chap. However, he along with O'Loughlin and Smith are a stain on the game when stalking the pitch. They are making RL unfavourably comparable to the game of football and all the bad vices that that game exudes. Ban all three of em for eternity says I.

Isn't it often the way that precocious talent comes with high levels of competitiveness, and sometimes a degree of arrogance? I also imagine that if you're demonstrably better than the people around you, but on whom you rely for team success, then frustration is another symptom. In RL terms, Broughy is a further example - mercurial, brilliant and sometimes, an insufferable bell-end.

Tomkins is just one of those types of players - he wants to win *every* aspect of the game - each individual tackle, every kick chase, and every decision from the officials; I don't like the way he, or his team, play the game - but you'd cheer him like a loon if he played for Wakey.

He's a pain in the ***e buit if Wigan get fed up of his antics (which I doubt!) I suppose we'd have him...

This sort of post, no matter how factually, just comes across as sour grapes following a loss.

Sour grapes ? No it wasn't. I enjoyed the game. I enjoyed the evening. I didn't think we deserved to win.
I did however see many of the things that we see so much in professional football and that make that sport such an unedifying spectacle. Players from all RL teams can of course be guilty but Mr Tomkins really is something special.

Very true but it seems to me the referees and the disciplinary system appears the indulge them rather then punish them.