Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 4:09 pm  

There are literally only a handful of players in either code of world rugby who could have scored that 2nd try - absolutely world class.

There are a lot of people in the aussie media who love him and ex teammates like Barrett, Piggy and Hoffman have all talked him up but until he actually goes out there and does the business there will still be the typical arguments thrown back that he isn't in the same class as the Slaters, Marshalls, Thurstons etc but he definitely is. If we do have to lose him over the next 2/3 years it simply HAS to be the NRL, it would be such a tragedy to lose his talent from our sport altogether when he is still yet to reach his peak. Personally I hope he stays at Wigan forever, but with the way the salary cap is compared to other competitions I feel we have to be resigned to losing him at some point.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 4:10 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I was out for a beer or three a couple of weeks ago at a well known real ale pub in Wigan. A member of our group, who like me has been watching Wigan a long long time said that Sam was the best fullback he has ever seen at Wigan. I thought about the likes of Tyrer, Fairbairn, Griffiths, Ashby, Lydon, Radders etc and do you know what, it's very hard to disagree with him.

He also mentioned Martin Ryan along with all those names, but, as you say, its hard to disagree, Sam is a rare talent, 'freakish' ability, sit back and enjoy a great player, and (although most other fans wont believe this), a pleasant, like able, well mannered young man.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 4:20 pm  

cherryandwhitedavid06 wrote:

People always say there's better in the NRL without actually watching the NRL. As I said earlier, the only 2 alongside Sam at the moment for attacking ability are Barba, GI and Slater

If you're not just including fullbacks then Shaun Johnson is up there as well in terms of amazing solo efforts.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 4:31 pm  

twosevenzero wrote:

He also mentioned Martin Ryan along with all those names, but, as you say, its hard to disagree, Sam is a rare talent, 'freakish' ability, sit back and enjoy a great player, and (although most other fans wont believe this), a pleasant, like able, well mannered young man.

Ahhemm!
I wonder who said that!

I worded it slightly different - I think he's as good as anything I've seen at Wigan (Going back to around 77) when taking into account a number of different aspects i.e Full time era, TV scturinisation of every game that's played.
Obviously Hanley would be the stand out but he was around 24 ish when we signed him and he really it his peak a couple of years later 26/27.

This young lad has just turned 23 for crying out loud!

As you say and as I was saying to my kids 12 months ago when the usual "Experts" around us were saying "He's Greedy", "He's not a fullback" etc "This guy is sensational and when people tell you that Hanley didn't drop a ball or miss a tackle etc they're lying! Just give him a shirt and the ball and sit back and enjoy! Because at some point he won't be here and when he's gone you wouldn't expect another one to come along. Players like this guy pop up over here once in 20 years if your lucky"

When taking into account the things I mentioned above,Tomkins is at a level above Hanley In my opinion at the same age (Around the same time we signed Hanley) and I see no reason why that progress cannot continue.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 4:56 pm  

JWarriors wrote:

If you're not just including fullbacks then Shaun Johnson is up there as well in terms of amazing solo efforts.

Yeah forgot about him. Obviously, they have talent but can't see why Sam couldn't do the same if he was in the same comp

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 5:05 pm  

Jukesays wrote:

Ahhemm!
I wonder who said that!

I worded it slightly different - .

I think he was talking about the other gentleman who has been watching Wigan a long long time. (Not Roy ).

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 5:10 pm  

I can consider myself extremely fortunate to have witnessed so many great players pass through our club since my first season as a supporter (1982).

Hand on heart, for all round completeness as a Rugby League Player, I think Sam is a talent right up there with Ellery Hanley.

Something I never thought I would see.

Cherish every game he plays for the club.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 5:36 pm  

Rogues Gallery wrote:

I was out for a beer or three a couple of weeks ago at a well known real ale pub in Wigan. A member of our group, who like me has been watching Wigan a long long time said that Sam was the best fullback he has ever seen at Wigan. I thought about the likes of Tyrer, Fairbairn, Griffiths, Ashby, Lydon, Radders etc and do you know what, it's very hard to disagree with him.

Rogues,I saw all the players you mention (I also rated Steve Hampson,he was so brave it was unbelevable).
The first Wigan fullback I saw was Jackie Cunliffe in 1953/4,who could also play standoff and centre.
Sam is as good as any of these even though it is a different game these days. The try Sam scored on Saturday reminded me so much of the one Jonathon Davies scored against Australia a few years ago,I think the one by Davies was better if only for the reason that he ran past some very good Aussie backs,including running round a very quick fullback in Brett Mullins.
Something in me still wonders how he would go at halfback,then you could compare him with the best halfback I ever saw,Alex Murphy. But before people start shouting about being fed up with some fans calling for Sam at halfback,this is just my view.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 5:38 pm  

JWarriors wrote:

If you're not just including fullbacks then Shaun Johnson is up there as well in terms of amazing solo efforts.

Josh Dugan and Brett Stewart are both better fullbacks than him at the moment.

Re: Sam Tomkins - Onwards & Upwards : Thu May 31, 2012 5:41 pm  

People always say if he played in the old era he wouldn't laugh five minutes because someone would "have him" but he's proven he's a tough customer over the last 3 years and stood upto a lot of flack he's received on the field. The scary thing is that's all hes played 3 and a bit years of rugby and he's already this good. Give him his other 3 years remaining on his contract and the sky is the limit for him I really do think he could take his game to any level he wants to