26 replies to this topic

[Wendall]

Joel Tomkins has been told to clean up his act in the Four Nations tournament.

The fiery Wigan Warriors back rower conceded the most penalties in Super League this season – 33 in total – and now Maurice Bamford, the former Great Britain coach, has told him to cool it

“This lad Tomkins has a tendency to give penalties away like I sup tea,” Bamford said.

“He does give silly penalties away and it must stop. You just can’t do it at this level.

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Got to say I agree with old Mo!

Tomkins has potential to lose his marbles in big pressure situations. Hope if he does get a game he can handle himself.

[Kenilworth Tiger]

Joel Tomkins is exactly the sort of player we need against the AUssies. So what if he gives a few penalties away.

Wally Lewis, Ellery Hanley, Shaun Edwards all gave away lots of penalties in their careers.

I really like Tomkins and expect him to do well out there

Not being funny but Maurice Bamford???

[scotthouston2008]

I agree, Tomkins doesn't shy away which is what we need, not someone who will bottle it!

[RidingPie]

Telling Joel to cool it is wrong, as most of the penalties he concedes are technical ones for holding down etc as opposed to decapitating Aussies and getting sent off in the 15th second of a match.

I'd tell him to make sure he's playing smart, i.e. if he concedes a penalty for holding down to make sure we're willing to sacrifice that penalty for a few extra seconds if it isn't given.

[terrywebbisgod]

Credit to Joel Tomkins where it is due,in the playoffs (after the kick) he was outstanding and conceded very few penalties.Whether he can handle the "sledging" from the Aussies and keep his cool is a different matter.I hope he can.

[FrankDrebin]

Joel Tomkins is exactly the sort of player we need against the AUssies. So what if he gives a few penalties away.

Wally Lewis, Ellery Hanley, Shaun Edwards all gave away lots of penalties in their careers.

I really like Tomkins and expect him to do well out there

Not being funny but Maurice Bamford???

Yeah Bamford. The bloke who's GB coaching stint helped lay the initial foundations that enabled us to at least compete on a reasonable level with the Australians and Kiwis during the late 1980's and early 90's.
Just because someone is old it doesn't meant that they still can't have valid opinions.

[ehbandit]

Yeah Bamford. The bloke who's GB coaching stint helped lay the initial foundations that enabled us to at least compete on a reasonable level with the Australians and Kiwis during the late 1980's and early 90's.
Just because someone is old it doesn't meant that they still can't have valid opinions.

didnt you know only australians and current players can have an opinion about the game?

[Exiled Wiganer]

In his last 3 games he has been exemplary. I suspect the way to rile him is to attack his brother, but he was back to his best at the end of the year in those high pressure matches. I wouldn't complain if McNamara picked Westwood ahead of him though, as he has been superb this year as well. I would put Joel's temperament well down the list of things to worry about in the England team.

[scotthouston2008]

Just read the title again, i'd be a lot more concerned about our backs being the weakest link than one of the best second rowers in the division!

[MrPosh]

If Joel Tomkins is our weakest link, we should expect to win the final by thirty points.

[Bob8]

If Joel Tomkins is our weakest link, we should expect to win the final by thirty points.

That is not what the article says, to be fair to Bamford.

It says that Tomkins will be targetted, which is entirely reasonable. The weak spot is clearly in the backs, but the backs do not (alas) need targetting.

[Dave T]

In his last 3 games he has been exemplary. I suspect the way to rile him is to attack his brother, but he was back to his best at the end of the year in those high pressure matches. I wouldn't complain if McNamara picked Westwood ahead of him though, as he has been superb this year as well. I would put Joel's temperament well down the list of things to worry about in the England team.

Westwood has also had people questioning his temprament over the years, but he hasn't let anyone down at Test level, and neither will Tomkins.

Morley has had all sorts of issues, yet apart from the one game where he played 12 seconds he has served his country brilliantly.

This is a nothing story, and again I don't understand why the need for the negativity in the build up.

[MrPosh]

That is not what the article says, to be fair to Bamford.

It says that Tomkins will be targetted, which is entirely reasonable. The weak spot is clearly in the backs, but the backs do not (alas) need targetting.

Fair enough. I was responding on the basis of Wendall's ramblings - I didn't open the article.

[Wendall]

Fair enough. I was responding on the basis of Wendall's ramblings - I didn't open the article.

Just simply reporting what Bamford said and I happen to agree with him, discipline wise Tomkins needs to watch it. You could say the same about James Graham's backchatting or Sam Tomkins going in with his feet. All players have annoying traits that can be costly.

[Bob8]

Just simply reporting what Bamford said and I happen to agree with him, discipline wise Tomkins needs to watch it. You could say the same about James Graham's backchatting or Sam Tomkins going in with his feet. All players have annoying traits that can be costly.

You gave the header of Tomkins being the weak link. In fact, Bamford says that the Aussies will target his ill-discipline, which is not the same thing. I would imagine the Aussies will not be looking at the team and concluding they should concentrate on taking England on in the forwards.

[The Boy Saint]

Just simply reporting what Bamford said and I happen to agree with him, discipline wise Tomkins needs to watch it. You could say the same about James Graham's backchatting or Sam Tomkins going in with his feet. All players have annoying traits that can be costly.

Neither player have ever been an issue discipline wise at International Level. They want to win too much!

[my missus]

for a player who has played 34 games this season and played the full 80 in most of them i'd say one penalty per game on average aint bad.

[no13benny]

Good player, might make the bench in one game I reckon.

[AndyCapp]

Pretty big call really.
Will he even make the playing team? if he does it suggests there some pretty huge weak links in the squad.

[Viking Warrior]

for me joel will be a revelation in the 4 nations, he's big, strong, aggressive and skillful. just exactly the attributes why i have been a nathan hindmarsh fan for the last 12 years.