Tomkins Leaving - Official

[Firestarter]

Did he not come back from aus coz he was homesick?im sure i remember reading somewhere that he missed wigan.......sams greed has stopped him being one ov wigans best ever players imo......... oh and before anyone says anything, i was his biggest fan

[thegimble]

I'll put 50p on it that he is at Warrington inside of 2 seasons

. Last of the high rollers.

I'd go £1.75 if i was on Sam's money

And a porsche

[Wigan_forever1985]

I think most people's views on here are split 50/50.

Sam has been offered more money to sign for Catalans than Wigan offered. He's out of contract so decided to go. Fair enough, but saying he's gone so his kids can learn a new language is bull, he's gone for more money and should say that.

But Wigan have spent lots of money on getting him fit again, not only from NZ but after his accident, so it would be nice to show a bit of loyalty, it's his hometown club to, and we were offering a decent wage for 4 years, not like the 3 from Catalans.

my view, I agree with Josie.

How do you know its bull? could it not be that both money packages were good enough but the experience of living in a new country with his kids appeals to him?. Im not saying either way but to just dismiss it as Bull without personally knowing him seems a big assumption.

Because his Father in Law was speaking to Fans at the Catalans game and gave loads of reasons why Sam would sign, but his kids learning another language wasn't one of them. Now its one of the main reasons for going.

I bet if the offer from Wigan was the same as the last 3 years, he wouldn't say I'm leaving anyway so I can learn French.

I've got an audio book about learning French, fair enough its on cassette but he can have it for nowt.

Sam subsequently told us that the opportunity for him and his family to experience a different culture and lifestyle and to see his kids speaking another language was something that really appealed to him.

How do you derive from that statement his kids learning another language is one of the main reasons of going?. To me the first two statements are much more in that box the kids statement sounds like a "bonus". I doubt his father in law speaks directly for him anyway.

People are focusing on one comment about language and im pretty sure that the weather and lifestyle and the fact a couple of his good friends are there already makes a bigger difference.

If the club offered him the same money then yes he probably would of stayed what a completely obvious statement to make, but they didnt, someone else offered better and with that they also have the other benefits that he has mentioned

[Wigan_forever1985]

Did he not come back from aus coz he was homesick?im sure i remember reading somewhere that he missed wigan.......sams greed has stopped him being one ov wigans best ever players imo......... oh and before anyone says anything, i was his biggest fan

So tell me at what amount of money per year does Sam become greedy?

[4 Generations]

Did he not come back from aus coz he was homesick?im sure i remember reading somewhere that he missed wigan.......sams greed has stopped him being one ov wigans best ever players imo......... oh and before anyone says anything, i was his biggest fan

I thought that also,homesick.I am not his biggest fan,but he had every chance to be a legend in Wigan,bronze statue or next up on the wall in the Grand Arcade.
I am afraid he would have a Thick Black beard,Mexican Tash,and a swag bag with Francs in it[euros]if i spotted it.We could alwways name a toilet block after him now in Leigh.

Mercenary,Jose is correct .

4G

[First Try Tickle]

When Sam returned he said all his family and friends were in Wigan so its a no brainer.

He also said he didn't want to play for any other Super League team but Wigan.

The bizarre thing is, the report on the BBC says its a 3 year deal. if it doesn't work out or he gets injured, he could end up worse off by Joining Catalans.

Maybe it is all about the culture.

[Exiled Wiganer]

I think the combination of an easier lifestyle, low expectations and more money is key. Some players would be more driven to want to win things, or motivated by loyalty to become a legend of the game. He isn’t wired that way - it’s just the same as his choice of NZW rather than a top team over there. Easy living and no pressure.

From his perspective it makes perfect sense.

[First Try Tickle]

I think the combination of an easier lifestyle, low expectations and more money is key. Some players would be more driven to want to win things, or motivated by loyalty to become a legend of the game. He isn’t wired that way - it’s just the same as his choice of NZW rather than a top team over there. Easy living and no pressure.

From his perspective it makes perfect sense.

I can't argue with that if that's how he feels.

But he had chance of being a Wigan great, future captain and then onto coaching within the club. I'd swap any amount of money for a chance of that.

Ancient & Loyal.

[fozzieskem]

I think the combination of an easier lifestyle, low expectations and more money is key. Some players would be more driven to want to win things, or motivated by loyalty to become a legend of the game. He isn’t wired that way - it’s just the same as his choice of NZW rather than a top team over there. Easy living and no pressure.

From his perspective it makes perfect sense.

I can't argue with that if that's how he feels.

But he had chance of being a Wigan great, future captain and then onto coaching within the club. I'd swap any amount of money for a chance of that.

Ancient & Loyal.

I suspect that’s how it starts out,then real life kicks in and marriage,kids and bills come along,if someone was offering I’d take higher wages too I’ll not blame him for that,nor will I blame the club for not offering what he wanted he clearly hasn’t been value for money,and that’s what it comes down too,perhaps his coming back didn’t generate the gates and mercy sales they were hoping for.

While I doubt it maybe this will force the club to look at the constant resigning of old players it isn’t bringing the money .the club needs new faces should be the 2y forward surely?

[DaveO]

But he had chance of being a Wigan great, future captain and then onto coaching within the club. I'd swap any amount of money for a chance of that.

Maybe he's not interested in being a coach? It's not an automatic progression and some are just not cut out for it. If he knows that already any offer of a path into coaching would carry no weight with him.