Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Thu May 16, 2013 7:23 am  

Geoff wrote:

No.

I agree. Hate the place.

Given the chance I would plump for Catalans everytime as I'd say the lifestyle of the South of France beats everything else within SL.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 8:44 am  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

IL won't be deliberately trying to get rid of Sam, that makes no sense at all. Surely it's a case of Sam, or his agent, telling IL that he wants to try his luck in the NRL and IL realising that if he helps Sam then he may well come back.
Do you think that Sam is after the money? I think whilst that helps, Super League doesn't offer the opprtunities that the NRL offers for Sam. Sam wants to prove himself the best in the world and he can't do that playing in super league.I think it is just down to the fact that Sam has won everything Super League has to offer. He is far and away the best attacking player in the league.

You are right about players regretting leaving. "The grass is always greener" syndrome. I suspect that of those going over to the NRL, most of them will be back pretty sharpish. Morley, Ellis and Burgess have been succesful, but how long will Graham last over there, his attack of the munchies on Billy Slater was completely out of character and suggested a man on the edge. Flash didn't last long. I can't see Hock lasting a single season and is Mossop really ready to lead a pack in the NRL?

In an ideal world Sam would stay were he is loved and win multiple honours. I wouldn't mind betting that he will return to us in 3 or 4 years time and play Stand Off for a good few years once his pace has gone, in the same way that Darren Lockyer did.

I have to disagree with a few points here. From press reports, getting rid of Sam early appears to be exactly what IL is doing. Sam himself isn't allowed to talk to other clubs until the end of 2014 so what the hell is IL doing? If Sam decides to come back it will be when NRL or RU have had enough of him (always presuming he will be a success). Therefore, letting him go early is no guarantee that he will come back any sooner, if at all.

Also, the point you try to make with Mossop is disengenuous. Who says he will have to lead the Eels pack?

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 9:48 am  

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-FC-s-Tom-Briscoe-chased-Wigan-French-union/story-18990518-detail/story.html#axzz2TRQR1N2H Interesting that Phil Wilkinson who is usually "in the know" reported another SL team are the favourites to land him

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-FC-s-Tom-Briscoe-chased-Wigan-French-union/story-18990518-detail/story.html#axzz2TRQR1N2H Interesting that Phil Wilkinson who is usually "in the know" reported another SL team are the favourites to land him

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 1:26 pm  

GingerWiganer wrote: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-FC-s-Tom-Briscoe-chased-Wigan-French-union/story-18990518-detail/story.html#axzz2TRQR1N2H Interesting that Phil Wilkinson who is usually "in the know" reported another SL team are the favourites to land him That's not how I read that. It says he had plenty of offers, is unlikely to go to Leeds, and if he does stay in SL we are confident of signing him. It would be a shame if he went to French RU

GingerWiganer wrote: http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-FC-s-Tom-Briscoe-chased-Wigan-French-union/story-18990518-detail/story.html#axzz2TRQR1N2H Interesting that Phil Wilkinson who is usually "in the know" reported another SL team are the favourites to land him That's not how I read that. It says he had plenty of offers, is unlikely to go to Leeds, and if he does stay in SL we are confident of signing him. It would be a shame if he went to French RU

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 3:05 pm  

I cannot see any logical justification for letting Sam Tomkins leave the club earlier than what was mutually agreed when he signed his new five year - essentially three year - contract a couple of seasons ago. Sam Tomkins is the best player in Super League - world class. He wins games for us on his own. When was the last time we had a player like Sam? I accept he will leave at some point, so let's keep him here as long as possible. What he brings on the field for us we will not be able to replace in any like-for-like quality, whether we let him go now or next year. The level of exposure and marketing he brings for not just the club, but the sport, is something again we will struggle to replace. With that in mind, I would think it prudent to keep Sam Tomkins here as long as possible. Maximise his talent for as long as possible. Especially when you factor in the experience and quality that has left the club in the last few seasons.

As for Tom Briscoe, he would be a great match for Wigan and Wigan would be a great match for him. For me, he is lacking confidence at the moment playing in a hit and miss Hull side. Put him in a consistent side like ours where he will score a bucket load of tries and he will thrive. A combination of Sam Tomkins, Josh Charnley and Tom Briscoe as the backbone of our backline would be tremendous. Even if it will most likely only be for one season.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 3:10 pm  

jinkin jimmy wrote:

I have to disagree with a few points here. From press reports, getting rid of Sam early appears to be exactly what IL is doing. Sam himself isn't allowed to talk to other clubs until the end of 2014 so what the hell is IL doing? If Sam decides to come back it will be when NRL or RU have had enough of him (always presuming he will be a success). Therefore, letting him go early is no guarantee that he will come back any sooner, if at all.

Also, the point you try to make with Mossop is disengenuous. Who says he will have to lead the Eels pack?

Fair comment about Mossop. I suppose I was thinking that the Eels might be expecting another Morley or Graham as Lee is now an England international prop.

Re Sam, my feeling is that IL must have been told by Sam's agent that he wants a move and it's the old one about not wanting to keep an unhappy player. Do you keep him to contract and risk an unsettling presence? I don't believe that IL would be doing this unless he had been told by the agent that Sam wants away. Wigan's great strength this season, it seems to me, is that they appear to be greater than the sum of the parts. Real team spirit if you like. I'm not saying that Sam would be a bad influence, but if he is unhappy because half of the England team are playing in the NRL then it may affect his performances. You only have to look at the CC semi last year to see when Sam's mind is elsewhere the problems that it can cause.

It's all rather depressing isn't it. i just love watching him play. I think he's the most naturally gifted sportsman in the country right now and hope to hell that we can keep him a little while longer.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu May 16, 2013 3:21 pm  

cadoo wrote:

When was the last time we had a player like Sam?.

IMO our best player since Hanley.

Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Thu May 16, 2013 7:04 pm  

Mookachaka wrote: Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958 Joel lives in St Albans. That is in Hertfordshire, not London.

Mookachaka wrote: Just read this on the BBC, it gives a strong hint of his future with his brother........ If he wins the World Cup this year with England, what else is their to play for? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/22514958 Joel lives in St Albans. That is in Hertfordshire, not London.

[DaveO]

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri May 17, 2013 12:04 am  

Aboveusonlypie wrote:

Re Sam, my feeling is that IL must have been told by Sam's agent that he wants a move and it's the old one about not wanting to keep an unhappy player. Do you keep him to contract and risk an unsettling presence? I don't believe that IL would be doing this unless he had been told by the agent that Sam wants away.

I would say you are wrong to think that and it is no use making stuff up to justify a point. There is no evidence Sam is remotely unhappy with his current situation or his agent is stirring it. The facts are IL made great play of getting this three year clause in Sam's contract. If despite that he then caves in and lets him leave early IL will appear weak and a person easily taken for a ride.

Given there is no reason to believe Sam or his agent are instigating a move the only way a move could be instigated and contracts negotiated is if IL set things in motion and as JJ pointed out this would be a crazy stance to take.

Wigan's great strength this season, it seems to me, is that they appear to be greater than the sum of the parts. Real team spirit if you like. I'm not saying that Sam would be a bad influence, but if he is unhappy because half of the England team are playing in the NRL then it may affect his performances. You only have to look at the CC semi last year to see when Sam's mind is elsewhere the problems that it can cause.

Sorry but you are making things up again. If he is unhappy because half of the England team is playing in the NRL? Where has that notion sprung from? You also do the player a disservice to imply he would chuck his rattle out of the pram for the sake of having to remain (probably) the leagues best paid player for another season.

It's all rather depressing isn't it. i just love watching him play. I think he's the most naturally gifted sportsman in the country right now and hope to hell that we can keep him a little while longer.

What is depressing is the possibility IL is offering Sam for sale when Sam was clearly happy to commit to the club for a minimum of three years.

[DaveO]

Re: Tomkins to Saracens 2014 : Fri May 17, 2013 12:07 am  

Smooth Stu wrote:

Joel lives in St Albans. That is in Hertfordshire, not London.

With an all night train service between the two. I will be down in St Albans myself at the end of June. We have friends there and they all work in London. It's a very nice place to live which gives you easy access to the city without having to live in it.