Tomkins for Baa-Baas

Sam Tomkins has been called up to play for the Barbarians against Australia next weekend.

How do you think he'll adapt and does this mean we'll see a few more players 'tested' before making a move to Union?

Does this signal his intention to move to Union?

Tomkins signed a new contract stating he could not talk to Union clubs for 3 years , so unless someone comes in and matches his contract 1.5 million over 5 years then he will stay with Wigan for now . As good as he is i cant see any Union club paying near a million pound for him .

I would be shocked if Wigan grant him permission to play for the Baa Baas aswell . A bit of mischeif making maybe ?

I'm not sure, I looked at it with a bit of tongue in cheek but maybe the Baa-Baa's want the Tomkins brothers together for the match?!

Only teams who could match that would be the French top14 teams.

Im sure the Baa-Baas would love both the Tomkins brothers together , it may happen but if it did i would see it as a one off

I think it serves a two-fold purpose, in that Sam Tomkins is one of the best players in Rugby League and therefore adds even more glitz to a strong Barbarians line-up.

Thus, it's a financial bonus as if he takes part because it could attract a number of League fans to watch the game (even if it's with a sceptical curiosity). Even if 0.1% of watchers are from a League background it's a gain.

I wouldn't say that it's a bid to lure him to Union as such, as he has that 3 year agreement in place. It's a big big honour to play for the Barbarians, even more so as he's never played top level Rugby Union.

SB wrote:I think it serves a two-fold purpose, in that Sam Tomkins is one of the best players in Rugby League and therefore adds even more glitz to a strong Barbarians line-up.

Thus, it's a financial bonus as if he takes part because it could attract a number of League fans to watch the game (even if it's with a sceptical curiosity). Even if 0.1% of watchers are from a League background it's a gain.

I wouldn't say that it's a bid to lure him to Union as such, as he has that 3 year agreement in place. It's a big big honour to play for the Barbarians, even more so as he's never played top level Rugby Union.

One would hope,if he does play,that he brings a better sense of purpose than he did on Saturday night. He was bloody awful The Aussies will bomb him all night and pick up the pieces every time.Leave him to sell hamburgers at the DW

Looks like he is going to play in a one off game

Sam Tomkins plays his first ever game of union against an international side.
Union must really be a hard game to learn to play if thats the case.

George Hotel1895 wrote:Sam Tomkins plays his first ever game of union against an international side.
Union must really be a hard game to learn to play if thats the case.

From memory SBW and/or Willie Mason got their union debuts for the Barbarians too (and neither particularly impressed admittedly - not really surprising given the differences between the codes). It's a festival match, and the Aussies are resting a few players so there are worse places to be given a crack.

I've got a ticket to the game too

George Hotel1895 wrote:Sam Tomkins plays his first ever game of union against an international side.
Union must really be a hard game to learn to play if thats the case.

Tackle, hump the ground, tackle, hump the ground, tackle, hump the ground....

I think it's plus for Rugby league when a player who has never played a game of union in his life plays his first game in a prestigious international showcase for the game of union and this is the second year in a row it's happened.

dublfcynwa wrote:I think it's plus for Rugby league when a player who has never played a game of union in his life plays his first game in a prestigious international showcase for the game of union and this is the second year in a row it's happened.

Correct. It can't be as technical a game as people say it is otherwise why would a person who's never played a union game before in his his life play his first game of union against an International side?

He's a world class athlete/player, who's played at international level. Other than at the breakdown, where lets be honest union veterans still get confused, i cant envisage him having too many problems

He'll fall flat on his arse. Northerners get a bit confused bless em...

What a farce the whole publicity stunt is.
Sam is known for being a decent reader of the game, a good tackler and someone who can make things happen from nothing, so can anyone explain why he's out on the wing instead of playing in a position where he can actually alter how the game is being played?
It's a complete waste of time for Sam and makes a joke of him being part of the Barbarians squad, if they wanted a great winger, Ryan Hall has just proven he's as good as anyone else on earth and would walk into the England RU team, or any other RU team for that matter.

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:He'll fall flat on his arse. Northerners get a bit confused bless em...

There was me thinking that Jason Robinson was a northener, who happened to score a try in the union world cup final when England won it.
Silly me i should remember that only southerners can play union.

BridgendBoyo wrote:He's a world class athlete/player, who's played at international level. Other than at the breakdown, where lets be honest union veterans still get confused, i cant envisage him having too many problems

But he's a big headed prat from Wigan!!!

Mehrts is god wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:He's a world class athlete/player, who's played at international level. Other than at the breakdown, where lets be honest union veterans still get confused, i cant envisage him having too many problems

But he's a big headed prat from Wigan!!!

Maybe so, but he's still a quality player

Christ I thought we’d moved on from the mine’s bigger and better than yours debate and all the north/south divide nonsense.

Tomkins will go fine – he’s a great player to watch and finally a UK league player living up to more than hype. He’ll be surrounded by at least 5 present WC winners and coached by arguably the greatest union coach of all time. What more of an introduction do you need?

Im actually very interested to see how he does , i think playing on the wing he should do ok .

Part of me is hoping he get's smashed because im a Saint's fan but he will do well the guy is an elusive runner big time and would excel in either code imo.

Unless a mega bucks offer comes along i really can't see Sam Tomkins going to union. With his high energy levels and his willingness to e involved all the time in the game. union is not for him.

Watching the highlights it seemed he didn't give up and was running everywhere which could lead to isolation on the union pitch, I think he'd be in the style of Ashton.

Good to see him hitting rucks mind and a well taken try!!