I must have missed a couple of pathetic attempted tackles by Jarryd Hayne at Melbourne yesterday - particularly on Hinchcliffe for the Norrie try. Also, how he somehow managed to fumble the ball backwards 15m and then dead despite no-one being within 30m of him.



But, of course, he is a superstar and beyond criticism. Tomkins is fine. A bit low on confidence but trying his heart out. He has shown moments of brilliance and it will come good for him for sure.

My feelings too.I expect him to have a much better second half to the season and with a good pre season be a real star next year. Because he is a pom going over with a big rep. and on the big bucks he was always going to be big time under the micro scope, hell he was being written off on here after his first couple of games when the Warriors were awful as a team but because Sam couldn't step up and win it all on his own he is a flop! since then he has done some nice things on attack and yes his defence needs to improve but im backing him to get it right.

His defense needs to improve?

He is 25 years old, hardly a Rookie, he either has the defensive skills or he doesn't, its unlikely his defensive awareness or tackling skills will improve with a couple of one on ones with the Coach.

He should be in his prime years right now, isn't he the best of a generation?

Remember this guy was a half-back who was moved to full back by Michael Maguire. He is not the most assured in that position but gets by through quick thinking. For England as much as anyone, I would like to see him play at 6. His handling game should be used much more by the Warriors. I think the biggest problem is that Townsend is not a great player and Johnson really struggles sticking with any structured game plans.

I hope it does come good.



All players make mistakes like Hayne, Inglis, Slater and Tomkins.



Its just that the first three have done so much at the highest level on a consistent basis that the occasional mistake is overlooked on the balance sheet.



Tomkins has to get several more ticks and a fair few less crosses before he gets the latitude by the critics in the NRL.

But he has played more games at Fullback than he has played as a Stand Off.

His game as attacking Fullback does not cut it in the NRL IMO, without the balance of good defensive field position and a solid defensive game and tackling technique he will be targeted by runners and kicks.



He may well improve some facets of his game but he also may get looked at by opposition Coaches in a different way and rather than them thinking about countering what he may offer in attack they focus on what they think they can target in his defensive frailties.

www.leaguefreak.com/sam-tomkins- ... o-do-7647/ Think this is a balanced, informed critque of Sam's progress so far in the NRL. It's a shame the way some are always ready to put down anyone striving for excellence. Seems the jealousy and bile that led to Sam Tomkins getting booed whilst playing for his country is alive and well.

www.leaguefreak.com/sam-tomkins- ... o-do-7647/ Think this is a balanced, informed critque of Sam's progress so far in the NRL. It's a shame the way some are always ready to put down anyone striving for excellence. Seems the jealousy and bile that led to Sam Tomkins getting booed whilst playing for his country is alive and well.

Quoting LeagueFreak is a first.



The question is why was he booed by English fans? the answer is out there and not hard to find.



I hope he gets better, he is adjusting to being a highly paid medium sized Fish in a big Pond.

Just as he was in the world cup, he is woefully out of his depth in the NRL.



Regards



King James

It just proves what a lot of us having been saying for years about Tomkins. Massively over-rated, equally capable of moments of brilliance and ineptitude.



This is why England can't beat Australia, our best and most hyped backs are in reality average NRL players.

I don't think many British backs have been hyped as being as good as or better than their Aussie counterparts. Hall maybe, but that's mainly from his performances vs Aus rather than his week-to-week games.



Tomkins' struggles clearly show that there is a gap between NRL and SL, but anyone who thought otherwise is clearly blind. As is anyone who dismisses some of Tomkin' performances for Wigan as being down to solely playing in an inferior competition. I'd also bet that if he were at the Roosters we'd be hearing a lot less about how bad his defence is, and a lot more about how good he is in attack.

Think he showed just that over the weekend.

The Wigan Wizard Vossy called him and the way he avoided tacklers was pure magic.