Seems like a few of the players were not impressed - big well done to Jamie Peacock but the sad part is it sounds like it has got to Sam and that makes me even more mad than I was before.
As for the comment about a bit more support - the two best supported teams in super league at the moment are Wigan and Warrington. Leigh appear to be in big trouble with what is going on there so a ground like theirs would have been ecstatic with some extra income and would have been a sell out which the RFL could have bragged about legitimately. I know the official attendance was quoted as being 14,000+ but call me sceptical .............. (and you'd be right)
PEACOCK ANGERED BY TOMKINS JEERS
England captain Jamie Peacock today launched a furious attack aimed at fans of his own Leeds club, labelling them "a disgrace" for booing Wigan full-back Sam Tomkins during the CarPlan International Origin match.
The Rhinos forward was stunned by the reaction of the home supporters among the 14,174 crowd at Headingley while Tomkins was visibly shaken after England's 16-10 defeat by the Exiles.
"I don't mind taking a bit of stick when you are playing at club level but, when you look at the most successful teams in rugby, they've got a quality fan base behind them," Tomkins told Press Association Sport.
"We definitely had some genuine fans there cheering for England and probably I was under a slight illusion that there would be more of them.
"But it's a bit of a joke when you're getting booed representing your country on English turf."
Tomkins was one of England's most impressive performers in their courageous defeat but he admits the reaction of the fans took the shine off the occasion.
"It certainly has for me," he said. "It's just not nice and you don't expect it.
"Playing for your national side is completely different to playing for your club and the players themselves have a completely different feel about it.
"We're one team, we're united and we stick together through it and we expect fans to do that as well."
Peacock, too, was taken aback by the booing of his England team-mate and pointed his criticism directly at Leeds fans.
"I think it's pretty disgraceful, to be honest," he said.
"When you come to support England, you should support England no matter who is playing for them.
"I'll be honest. I'm England first and Leeds Rhinos second and I think some other people should get that mentality.
"I take it personally as captain of the team. When you are trying your best for your country and people are booing one of your players who is trying as hard as he possibly can, it's very disappointing."
Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin, who was at loose forward for England, said: "It's disappointing that some of the fans can't bring themselves to cheer for him but Sam's a big enough character to cope with it."
Despite the personal abuse, Tomkins remains a fan of the Origin concept, which was introduced to replace the traditional mid-season Test against France.
The Wigan youngster was at the heart of a tremendous England defensive effort, pulling off try-saving tackles on Rangi Chase and Pat Richards, and was delighted with the intensity of a tough, physical hit-out.
"We were expecting that," he said. "They're a tough outfit and certainly brought the game to us.
"It was what we need. We never had that against France. It's a great concept. I just hope next time we have a little bit more support."
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