Joel to Union

[DaveO]

I understand Joel will move once suitable compensation is agreed, however the issue remains that IF Saracens do not come up with that - Joel will have become unsettled due to this illegal approach and what happens as a consequence of this is another issue. Placed because of the total lack of respect and professionalism shown by Joel's new agents and Saracens to Wigan

And if suitable compensation isn't agreed he won't be going.

Saracens will not induce him to break his contract. If they did and they played a player under contract elsewhere in sport and got away with it the ramifications would be huge. Not only would we have the Bosman ruling that says players are free agents after their contract is up we would then have the "Tomkins ruling" which would say they are also free agents when they are still contracted. It isn't gong to happen.

If that happened any of Sarries own players could simply walk out and go to France for example (where RU pays even higher than it does in the UK).

If he did walk out and played for Sarries and Joel and Sarries said "go on, sue us then", Wigan would and would no doubt get some settlement but maybe much smaller than an agreed settlement for a transfer. Sarries don't want that either because that sets another precedent that could work against them in future as much as it might work for them now.

So Sarries will make Wigan an offer but if it isn't good enough Wigan can reject it and Joel would remain a Wigan player because Sarries will not induce him to break his contract. It is just not in their interests for him to do that.

If I were IL I'd just reject it anyway and tell him to see his deal out but that is a different debate. The point is though contrary to what some people seem to think the ball is in Wigan's court.

[cpwigan]

And no one should be afraid of reality either.

That is around £1000 per week (before deductions and wins bonuses - if there are any).

I'm sorry CP, but you (and a few others) make out that sport somehow "owes" players the opportunity to live the life of Riley once they finish playing ie retire at 32-35. I'm sorry - that is not the way. Like Paul Prescott has done, he has already taken steps to make sure once his playing career is over, not only will he be set for life (as long as he doesn't go down the drink/drugs/gambling/prostitutes route so many do with extra money in their hands), but also he will have the education to continue earning after that career has ended.

In an earlier post, you mention that Jason Robinson has a clothing business. Is this is the same player that took great advantage of the super league/NRL war and also Union going professional to make a great deal of money AND also finishing his sporting career in Union? This DID NOT mean the player was/is able to spend time living life like a lottery winner having to just live of accumulated wealth/interest payments. So why now do you try and take the stance that this should be afforded to today's current crop of Wigan players? - especially as in another thread, you actually question British professionalism/mentality at the club!

As for posters saying they can understand him wanting to go to Union for the huge pay increase on offer - of course you can!

BUT, remember he signed a deal that IS binding him to Wigan until the club that values his ability/professionalism/skills so highly enough to virtually treble his wages, at the same time stop expecting to treat his current employers (ie Wigan) as if they are some sort of back-street trader who were lucky to have him, with comparably derogatory offers in compensation.

If the Union club involved rate Joel so highly to treble his wages - surely they are willing to pay his current employer whatever it takes to obtain his release wouldn't you think? This would have all been over as quickly as the rumour started, rather than what now appears to be a penny pinching Union club expecting to entice players away with NO repercussions.

So by your argument BM, Piggy Riddell should have been told screw you big boy you stop here and see your contract out, Trent Barrett? Madge? Etc Etc

Joel Tomkins has A) studied for qualifications post playing B) invested money. I believe he has bought property not on the scale of Chris Ashton who now has several properties across Wigan BUT we have a player who was prepared to take a pay cut to stay at Wigan, to play out of position, to help Wigan RLFC be successful who decides he wants to take an offer elsewhere. If Wigan think the compensation offered is acceptable he will go. Wigan take the view that unhappy players and that is what you create when you play hard ball are better moved on. Anybody ever worked with a Peed off fellow employee. Exactly, you all know how counter productive it can be.

Joel Tomkins career could end next year if bad luck struck. If he has a few bad games Wigan fans / fans anywhere will turn on him anyway, fans will forget about him soon enough. Nothing more fickle than a sports fan. The man is being offered an opportunity to make his life secure. Noting more than Ellery, Andy Greg, Shaun Edwards would have done and guess what I for one would not blame them.

Riddell and Barrett leaving early were both totally different circumstances to Joel's situation. Riddell asked for a release as one of his parents had recently passed away and wanted (being an Australian) to return home. Barrett's wife had been unsettled in England for some time and he asked for release on compassionate grounds (being Australian he also wanted to return "home"). Neither left or asked to leave just because huge wads of money were waived infront of their noses to sign for another club (as is the case with Joel). Neither had just signed new long term deals either!

Madge had already completed his contract (as was already argued out on other threads) about his 2 year deal with a one year option. Madge didn't break his contract - just simply fulfilled it and left

I understand Joel will move once suitable compensation is agreed, however the issue remains that IF Saracens do not come up with that - Joel will have become unsettled due to this illegal approach and what happens as a consequence of this is another issue. Placed because of the total lack of respect and professionalism shown by Joel's new agents and Saracens to Wigan

So what you are saying is that if a player / coach comes up with a reason to leave a contract early you are ok with that BM? Personally, I am and see little difference in a player who has previously take a pay cut to stay at Wigan, represent his country, win GFs and CCs say I want a new challenge in a new sport. You seem to want to pick and choose when it suits you. I actually think it is far better to have it cut and dry. Everybone who asks to is let go or nobody is ever released.

Good luck to Joel Tomkins I say.