Sam Tomkins to play for Barbarians

[Stagger Lee]

After all the toffs from Twickers have done to RL in England since 1895, this bloke jumps at the chance to go play a showpiece game for them.

Where's your pride son?

I'm certain Pommy RL fans will be booing him even harder now.

^^^ This

Rah Rah can go to hell

 

[Butters]

Shouldn't you all be applauding Sam Tomkins for all the publicity league will get out of this game?

Surely he'll singlehandedly destroy the wallabies (As we all know rugby league players are superhuman godlike athletes whom surpass the athletic standards and capabilities of all other sports.) and thus will have the whole english rugby union audience captivated, instantly converting them all to the greatest game of all.

 

[Lego_Man]

Relax - they only let him do it so he'd get a taste of how shit it is. Then he'll be no chance of signing.

 

[Brutus]

Shouldn't you all be applauding Sam Tomkins for all the publicity league will get out of this game?

Not at all.

 

[liger05]

I think the whole thing is a disgrace.

Compare the RFL and Wigan's reponse to the NRL when Benji was offered $1m to play Union in Japan during off-season couple years ago.

"I can't see how it would be in league's best interests to allow a star player to play for one of our competitors," Gallop told News Limited.

"We're already under pressure over the amount of football played. Why would we allow a star to risk injury playing in another code?

"In essence the board's view is that rugby league is not a part-time occupation," Gallop said.

"The game and its commercial partners invest millions of dollars each year in creating an environment that is unmatched in intensity and excitement.

"You can't maintain that while allowing rival codes, rival sponsors and rival networks to market NRL players at the same time.

"The board feels that there can be no question, therefore, that the NRL has a clear stake in this issue.

Now thats leadership. Thats an orginisation which doesnt see itself as little brother to Union or the AFL.

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood believes the selection of Sam Tomkins by the rugby union Barbarians testifies to Rugby League's proud track record of developing skilful, world class athletes.


Tomkins, the Wigan Warriors and England full-back, will play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies at Twickenham next Saturday, just a week after representing England against Australia in the final of 2011 Gillette Four Nations.
His selection was agreed between the Barbarians and his Super League club Wigan, with whom he signed an extended five-year contract earlier this month.


"I'm sure Sam will be successful on Saturday when he plays his first match in an unfamiliar code because he's a hugely talented Rugby League player, one of many our sport is producing," said Wood.


"Rugby League has an outstanding track record in developing its own players and is continuing to show union the way ahead. Sam's inclusion in a sport he knows little about is proof of that.


"You only have to look at how often union has turned to Rugby League players and coaches over the last 15 years to see the calibre of talent we have in our midst.


"It's obvious to even the most casual of observers why union continues to covet Rugby League players whose sheer athleticism and outstanding skills with ball in hand make them extremely attractive to the other code of rugby.


"Sam's selection underlines that imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Both Sam and Rugby League should feel flattered."

The RFL are wetting there pants that a RL player will be playing at Twickenham in Union match. What a joke!!

 

[CC_Roosters]

I really dont care for the RFU. Sam has so much to lose in doing this if he ends up looking a goose

 

[roughyed8]

If tIe plan was to tempt him then it must have failed badly, stuck on the wing while his teammates booted away what little possession they had and give more than passableimpressions of turnstiles, even though if scored the ba bas try the whole experience must have put him off union for life.

 

[WAPAU]

Mate I dont think the RFU will waste their money on him now. Didn't have a horrible game, but didnt show enough to sign him up. He looked tiny on the field as well.

 

[christopher]

He had no opportunities. he played well but was unable to stand out. Solid effort really considering he didn't even know what numbers corresponded to what positions.

The truth is the Kangaroos exposed him more a week earlier than the Wallabies did.

And yeah, he's a little feller. So was Jason Robinson, although he had more muscle.
Sam will bulk up.

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Mate I dont think the RFU will waste their money on him now. Didn't have a horrible game, but didnt show enough to sign him up. He looked tiny on the field as well.

in about 3-5 years time I think he probably could be playing union. Considering it was his first game he didn't go too bad and given time he could develop, he only had a week of training and came up against the 2nd ranked RU team in the World after playing the top ranked RL team the week before. He will definitely be looked at by union clubs when his contract has expired with Wigan or if he chooses to leave in 3 years, I do see him in the future pulling on the England RU jersey and could be as good as Jason Robinson.

 

[WAPAU]

He had no opportunities. he played well but was unable to stand out. Solid effort really considering he didn't even know what numbers corresponded to what positions.

The truth is the Kangaroos exposed him more a week earlier than the Wallabies did.

And yeah, he's a little feller. So was Jason Robinson, although he had more muscle.
Sam will bulk up.

You're right he had limited opportunities, but when you pack isnt going forward in rugby opportunities are few and far between.

I dont know about sam though, he's got the skills and the speed and whatnot, but thats only ever half the battle in rugby. But if that game was his contract trial, then I doubt he will go on with it. I do wonder if we will see him playing rugby again whilst still at wigan. This contract is a strange one.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

in about 3-5 years time I think he probably could be playing union. Considering it was his first game he didn't go too bad and given time he could develop, he only had a week of training and came up against the 2nd ranked RU team in the World after playing the top ranked RL team the week before. He will definitely be looked at by union clubs when his contract has expired with Wigan or if he chooses to leave in 3 years, I do see him in the future pulling on the England RU jersey and could be as good as Jason Robinson.

Oh dear,Jason Robinson was a stocky little speed machine while Sam Tomkins is a slow twig

 

[Goldfields_Titans]

I reckon its part of a slow agenda to either merge both codes over there or the RFU 'buy' RL clubs.

 

[Paley]

I reckon its part of a slow agenda to either merge both codes over there or the RFU 'buy' RL clubs.

The RFU don't own any union clubs so why would they buy rugby clubs? Not that anybody would support those clubs even if they did.