I agree with people earlier on, Tommy's best position is at 9. It's where he plays best for New Zealand and where I've seen him play best for us. When McIllorum was injured earlier in the season we used him at 9 when Riddell went off he was attacking the line with the scoots from dummy half and got us moving forward.



For some reason when he plays at 7 he doesn't seem to attack the line as much. He's scored some great tries for us when he's attacked the line, and makes some breaks, but just getting the ball and passing it on nullifies all that.



I don't know whether that's the way he's coached as in, "when you're first receiver pass it along the line" but if he starts attacking the line more we'll see the best in him.

The fact that you have to rely on him says more about the poor quality in the rest of the team rather than his own ability, he's only a kid FFS.

Just shows which areas we need new signings.



1-2 props and a scrum half IMO



There is to much on his young shoulders to soon

Correct.

I think he may off been trying to hard to be honest, and he was crying at the end of the game - shows he has the passion.

I thought Sam Tomkins had a good game and I am baffled by how people said he didn't show up. His defensive effort tonight was nothing short of outstanding. Saints ran at him all game and he stood strong. I said at the time to a mate of mine that he has ran his blood to water and that we need every player to do so.



Behind a beaten pack he was still a threat. It was his high kick that caused Ade Gardner trouble and we scored from it.



The lad has had an outstanding season and should be named young player of the year he fully deserves it. His passion for our side was there for all to be seen at the end of the game.



If anyone can leave that field with no regrets it's Sam Tomkins.

Agree that Sam played his heart out behind a beaten pack. He is one of the last players that should be criticised for last night's game. All in all it was a good team effort bearing in mind the disruption that must have been caused by Mcllorum's late withdrawal.

We need to kick on now. We had 8 players aged 24 or under in our side and just 3 aged 30 or over - Fielden, Coley and Carmont. Saints maturity and experience both physically and technically with 6 players aged 30 or over and only 5 aged 24 or under made the difference for me.

Wigan are well positioned for the future. It's vital that we get the right coach to bring all our young talent on.

how can you say that he didnt show up? he gave his all for 80 minutes and last night like the rest of the season he was playing behind a beaten pack. no half can perform with out space and a pack that is moving forward.

Very unfair to say Sam Tomkins didn't step up.



The only differences between the two sides last night were St Helens 'big game' experience, and a couple of avoidable errors by Wigan.



If anyone wants criticising (and by than I mean dropping from a great big f*cking height) it's that waste of space liability Amos Roberts. He is f*cking shiit.

Incorrect.



No matter how well-intended, starting a thread that basically singles out one player for yesterday's defeat - especially a young, very promising player - is more than a little ridiculous and likely to do more harm than good.

Speaking to a saints fan he said he only got nervous when 3 players had the ball, one was Sam Tomkins. He is always a threat and I think some of his defence was brilliant, he makes it easy for himself with great positioning.



I didnt see him crying at the end