Tomkins saga over as he signs for the NZW

[cpwigan]

Ok if Sam wants to go to the NRL why would he settle for the NZ Warriors who are about Widnes level in their league? Not being rude but you need Sam more than he needs you

Tax laws are 'far better' in NZ compared to Aus

Remember this is the NRL not the SL. The Warriors are nothing like Widnes and indeed their form recently has been excellent. When they get it right, the Warriors are feared by ever other team.

A little snippet for folk, there might (still only might at this stage) be TWO TOMKINS IN THE NRL next season.

[DaveO]

Ok if Sam wants to go to the NRL why would he settle for the NZ Warriors who are about Widnes level in their league? Not being rude but you need Sam more than he needs you

Tax laws are 'far better' in NZ compared to Aus

Remember this is the NRL not the SL. The Warriors are nothing like Widnes and indeed their form recently has been excellent. When they get it right, the Warriors are feared by ever other team.

A little snippet for folk, there might (still only might at this stage) be TWO TOMKINS IN THE NRL next season.

I had heard it was a package deal with Logan part of it.

[MT Smart]

Ok if Sam wants to go to the NRL why would he settle for the NZ Warriors who are about Widnes level in their league? Not being rude but you need Sam more than he needs you

Tax laws are 'far better' in NZ compared to Aus

Remember this is the NRL not the SL. The Warriors are nothing like Widnes and indeed their form recently has been excellent. When they get it right, the Warriors are feared by ever other team.

A little snippet for folk, there might (still only might at this stage) be TWO TOMKINS IN THE NRL next season.

I had heard it was a package deal with Logan part of it.

Logans a hooker right ? how would you rate him as a rake ? defense ok ? running hooker ?

[cpwigan]

You never know it could be Joel. Logan is a promising all round hooker but he is only at Toyota / NSW Cup level at this stage in his career. If he can find an extra 1/2 yard of pace his game will improve considerably.

[BriH]

Ok if Sam wants to go to the NRL why would he settle for the NZ Warriors who are about Widnes level in their league? Not being rude but you need Sam more than he needs you

Tax laws are 'far better' in NZ compared to Aus

Remember this is the NRL not the SL. The Warriors are nothing like Widnes and indeed their form recently has been excellent. When they get it right, the Warriors are feared by ever other team.

A little snippet for folk, there might (still only might at this stage) be TWO TOMKINS IN THE NRL next season.

I had heard it was a package deal with Logan part of it.

Gets worse!

[NeeNawWarrior22]

How is it going for Joel over in Union, anyone with an update? I'm gonna go for it and say it COULD be Joel, rather than Logan.
Am I right CP?? Come on...tell me I'm right

[cpwigan]

Trying to find out; Joel back in League would be my hope. He had the balls to live in London etc so maybe he would look forward to Aus or NZ too.

[Everhopeful]

Ok if Sam wants to go to the NRL why would he settle for the NZ Warriors who are about Widnes level in their league? Not being rude but you need Sam more than he needs you

Hi all, I'm another member of the NZ Warriors forum, I've been following this site for about 4-5 months now and I'd echo a few of my fellow countrymen in saying that NZers generally have an affinity to Wigan, thanks to the kiwi's of old that have played there.

I had to register to bite back at this comment I think one of the main differences bewteen the SL and NRL is the eveness of the competition here. Anyone can beat anyone in the NRL and often do. In addition to that, a team that gets the wooden spoon one year, can bounce back and be a finalist the next. The Warriors went from a grand finalist to 2nd to last in 2012 and the Roosters have gone from deadbeat last year to 2nd in the ladder this year. The Warriors lost by 50 points to one of the worst teams in the NRL 6 weeks ago and since have beaten some of the best in a 5 game winning streak. If you look at the NRL ladder at the moment, 2 wins separate 4th from 14th. I believe that SL is often treated with unwarranted derision in this part of the world because of how poor the lesser lights are. The Wigan's etc would probably cope fine in the NRL after a settling in period. I would LOVE to have an integrated competition (Like cricket's Champions Trophy) between the two hemispheres.

About three weeks ago there was an article written here hinting that Sam's younger brother would travel here to play hooker for our development side. I haven't heard anything since, but it could well be hot air. I have heard that the family is very close and it is likely that Sam's mother will move here too.

I am excited about the possibility of a partnership between Wigan and NZ. I too hope it is not one-sided. I think that Wigan could do very well out of our U20's comp by securing large, dynamic backs (in the Tuilangi from union mould) that would serve you well. We overproduce these.

Oh and in response to the 'you need Sam, more than he needs you,' remark. Every team needs marquee players, we would be stoked to have Sam (some say it is a risk as he is untested and small, but from what I have seen of him he will be fine), but having said that we have two very good fullbacks already. Not many would lose sleep if Sam didn't come, but he will be an exciting addition if he does. In the NRL one or two superstars can be all it takes to propel your team to a premiership and hopefully that is what Sam can do for us after a bleak couple of seasons

[Kaii]

For a start he comment was never intended to get people to bite, I just can't see what the move offers for him apart from money. Here we are top of the league with best attack and defence, the two top try scorers of from Wigan ( Sam & josh). He's loved by the fans and fans of the national side and our derby matches are the best in rugby. Plus his family are here, just can't see what nz warriors can offer to compare.

Btw I'm not trying to be offensive

[MT Smart]

Wouldn't disagree with anything Everhopeful has said except to add the If Wigan were to play in the NRL , from what I've been seeing in games lately , Imagining that they are based in Sydney....their biggest hurdle would be the travel factor.

Even being in Sydney would mean a flight to NZ and the other States in Australia on a regular basis that takes a bit of adjusting to. The NZW are the most traveled team in the comp of course.

I don't think Wigan would have any problems competing week in week out with the best clubs , unlike many in this part of the world.

As for Sam Tomkins I'm a very confident he will thrive / teach opposition defences a lesson or two.