106 replies to this topic

[winnyason]

I really hope he does not go to kick and giggle in 2014, test yourself fella the nrl
http://www.bbc.co.uk...league/19207246

[dkw]

He needs a new project to get his love of the game back, signing for Workington town apparently.

[jackknife]

I hope he goes to the nrl along with a few others, this can only do wonders for our international team IMO

[1976PMJwires]

I'd be very surprised if Sam goes to union - Wigan / SKY will ensure they do all they can to keep him in SL

NRL IMHO be the only place for Sam after his Wigan contract is up - I'll then be an avid viewer of the NRL

I'm a massive fan of Sam and I'd be gutted once/ if he leaves our game.

[EastLondonMike]

As much as i love seeing Sam play for Wigan, i'd love to see him go to the NRL.. even if it means Wigan losing a bit of quality.

[MrPosh]

[ANDYCAPPMODE/] He's not good enough. Would only get a run out in the Toyota Cup etc. etc. [ANDYCAPPMODE]

[Warrior Jack]

Well, as a Wigan fan, I want him to stay at Wigan for the rest of his career.

I really don't hold with all this "Testing himself in the NRL" ######. He is obviously an incredible player, and he doesn't need to play in a league 10000 miles away to convince anyone of that fact.

All these people calling for our best players to go to Australia want their heads testing.

[1976PMJwires]

Well, as a Wigan fan, I want him to stay at Wigan for the rest of his career.

I really don't hold with all this "Testing himself in the NRL" ######. He is obviously an incredible player, and he doesn't need to play in a league 10000 miles away to convince anyone of that fact.

All these people calling for our best players to go to Australia want their heads testing.

Going to the NRL is better than Union - Would be a sad day when Sam does leave SL (If he ever does)

[Tre Cool]

I dont think he'll have the guts to go to the NRL. He's not a particularly good big game player and never performs in an England shirt, so the though of being found out in the best rugby comp in the world will probably be less appealing than the easy money and fame he could find in union. Great talent but petulant and doesnt seem to have been working on his weaknesses since being hailed as the best player in the world by some very naive super league fans.

[1976PMJwires]

I dont think he'll have the guts to go to the NRL. He's not a particularly good big game player and never performs in an England shirt, so the though of being found out in the best rugby comp in the world will probably be less appealing than the easy money and fame he could find in union. Great talent but petulant and doesnt seem to have been working on his weaknesses since being hailed as the best player in the world by some very naive super league fans.

Wow, not sure what else to say.

Sam never goes missing in an England shirt, he looks for the ball, runs at the defenders and has created tries.

Sam would get into the NRL no problem - MM says so, so that's enough for me!

[JohnM]

All these people calling for our best players to go to Australia want their heads testing.

What would you be testing for ?

There is an argument to be had that when a significant number of our best players were playing in Aus in our off season, they came back better players because of it and that our international performances improved because of it..late 1980s and early 1990s.

That's what we want isn't it? I feel there are benefits to both individual best players and to teams who are capable of improvement by competing on a regular and frequent basis with those who are better,(as defined by winning).

[Tre Cool]

Wow, not sure what else to say.

Sam never goes missing in an England shirt, he looks for the ball, runs at the defenders and has created tries.

Sam would get into the NRL no problem - MM says so, so that's enough for me!

I just find him very frustrating to watch. So much talent but if he really is as good as so many claim why hasnt he dominated in a grand final, c cup final or an England shirt? He was actually very poor in the c cup final and has made some horrible mistakes in Test matches. He's not the finished article. And why is his petulance seen as a sign of competitive edge? Ive never seen Joey, Slater, Langer behaving like a child on the pitch. He could definitely make it in the NRL, but imo he doesnt have the focus or desire to truly make it as an RL great.

[Tre Cool]

What would you be testing for ?

There is an argument to be had that when a significant number of our best players were playing in Aus in our off season, they came back better players because of it and that our international performances improved because of it..late 1980s and early 1990s.

That's what we want isn't it? I feel there are benefits to both individual best players and to teams who are capable of improvement by competing on a regular and frequent basis with those who are better,(as defined by winning).

A succesful England team would be massive for the game, and more players in the NRL increases the chance of it happening. We need to be careful that SL isnt weakened too much though, there are already less true stars coming over from down under, and if we keep losing our best players too it will have a really bad result for SL.

[1976PMJwires]

I just find him very frustrating to watch. So much talent but if he really is as good as so many claim why hasnt he dominated in a grand final, c cup final or an England shirt? He was actually very poor in the c cup final and has made some horrible mistakes in Test matches. He's not the finished article. And why is his petulance seen as a sign of competitive edge? Ive never seen Joey, Slater, Langer behaving like a child on the pitch. He could definitely make it in the NRL, but imo he doesnt have the focus or desire to truly make it as an RL great.

Petulance is good to have, Alex Murphy for example.
Sam's behaviour has improved 100%
Focus and desire we'll have to agree to disagree.

[Tre Cool]

Petulance is good to have, Alex Murphy for example.
Sam's behaviour has improved 100%
Focus and desire we'll have to agree to disagree.

Petulance is not good to have. Confidence and focus are. Cam Smith and Thurston are the best examples of top players that work the ref to within an inch of the rules for the benefit of his team. Tomkins is like a child throwing his toys out of the pram.

[giwildgo]

Well, as a Wigan fan, I want him to stay at Wigan for the rest of his career.

I really don't hold with all this "Testing himself in the NRL" ######. He is obviously an incredible player, and he doesn't need to play in a league 10000 miles away to convince anyone of that fact.

All these people calling for our best players to go to Australia want their heads testing.

I tend to agree - its a privilege to watch Sam's development in person from week to week, SL will be a poorer competition for the loss of his natural talent and profile. Maybe people are content with waving the white flag on our domestic game and accepting mediocrity, but surely a stronger SL with our best players is better for our international prospects than a weak comp with the odd export in the NRL.

[Just Browny]

I think Tomkins should retire and let the kids have a go.

Only kidding, he's a great player and I'd rather he stayed in Super League. Failing that, I'd rather he played in the NRL and still represented England than go to union. Ultimately, I suppose it's his choice and he might be influenced by the fact his brother has done nowt in union (I suppose alternatively he might like the idea of being very well paid to chillax all year round).

[Exiled Wiganer]

I think Tomkins should retire and let the kids have a go.

Only kidding, he's a great player and I'd rather he stayed in Super League. Failing that, I'd rather he played in the NRL and still represented England than go to union. Ultimately, I suppose it's his choice and he might be influenced by the fact his brother has done nowt in union (I suppose alternatively he might like the idea of being very well paid to chillax all year round).

Plus 1.

[Mushy]

Plus 1.

Plus 2

[HKR AWAY DAYS]

I think Tomkins should retire and let the kids have a go.

For some reason I just burst out laughing at this!

The game doesn't want to lose this kid. We'd all love to see him doing his thing down under. His talent is unquestionable, and watching him fly in the NRL would be a proud moment, I am sure, for everyone.