Super League 2011

[kinboshi]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/15810900.stm

Crazy.

"Wigan Warriors are pleased to confirm that Wigan and England Full-Back, Sam Tomkins, has been selected to play in the forthcoming Barbarians Rugby Union Team against The Australian Wallabies at Twickenham on Saturday 26th November.

Sam becomes the first player ever to play in successive weeks against the Australian Kangaroos Rugby League Team and then against the Australian Wallabies Rugby Union Team.

Sam also becomes the first contracted Rugby League player to be selected for the Barbarians and will play at full-back in this prestigious meeting between two of the biggest names in the 15-a-side code.

The news comes just two weeks after Sam committed his long term future to Wigan Warriors and Rugby League by agreeing a new Five-Year Deal with the Challenge Cup Holders which includes a clause which pledges Sam to Rugby League for at least 3 years.

Speaking about the news, Wigan Warriors Chairman and Owner Ian Lenagan said:

"For Sam, Wigan and Rugby League to be recognised in this way by the other Rugby Code is indicative of the talent which Sam has and the growing recognition of the attractiveness and skill demonstrated consistently by Rugby League each week. It also shows the growing profile and respect shown to Rugby League and Wigan."

"The game itself is a great opportunity for Sam to play with and against some of the biggest International names in Union and will show Rugby Union fans what a tremendous talent he is.

"The Wigan Club was quick to give permission for Sam to play, a decision which fits well with previous Wigan creative initiatives in the Middlesex Sevens, the dual-code games against Bath Rugby Union and the recent Partnership announced with Saracens."

Sam will link up with the Barbarians squad on Tuesday for the game on Saturday before taking a well-earned break. He will then rejoin his Wigan Warriors team-mates in Florida in December to prepare for the 2012 season."

[kinboshi]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8910252/Barbarians-name-England-and-Wigan-rugby-league-star-Sam-Tomkins-on-the-wing-against-Australia.html

[Josedinho]

Seems weird he's playing. Wouldn't have too much faith that 3 year deal goes all the way. If he's good enough for somebody to pay to break the contact then I'm pretty sure he could earn more money playing Union.

[Girgy85]

Seems weird he's playing. Wouldn't have too much faith that 3 year deal goes all the way. If he's good enough for somebody to pay to break the contact then I'm pretty sure he could earn more money playing Union.

not everythings about money.

League>>>>>>>>union just saying like

[Josedinho]

Seems weird he's playing. Wouldn't have too much faith that 3 year deal goes all the way. If he's good enough for somebody to pay to break the contact then I'm pretty sure he could earn more money playing Union.

not everythings about money.

League>>>>>>>>union just saying like

You can keep saying it. It might even be true in terms of the game but Union is much bigger.
More money to be earned. More to achieve. More countries/cities to play in.

[kinboshi]

Definitely more money to be earned, and greater public recognition in union.  Look at how much his brother Josh is getting, and although he's a talented player - he's not a patch on Sam.

It's a short career, and can't blame any of the players switching codes to get a considerable pay hike.  It's just a shame that the better game is the one with less money in it, and the one that suffers from talent moving to the other code.

[Acidmouse]

I guess it all depends on what sports-people want from life and careers.  You can live like a king as a top league player, earn £100k salary, numerous endorsement deals play the game you love for what is still normally their home town club. If you wish to push yourself even further then alot of the top league pros go to the Aussie league where its bigger than Union over here in terms of crowds, TV coverage etc..

Internationally it is alot less intense or important I agree but the amount of press intrusion in the national Union team get these days most players aint that fussed to be scrutinised for every cider they drink on their nights off. Union is run by complete idiots who are doing their very best to implode the game ATM, I wouldn't want to be a national team player being criticised from every corner right now, its does your career no good.

I wonder how many of the Union club teams have local players? where it means something to play for them? Do they give a flying fuck if they win for the city/town? I know when I watch the Rhinos at least 3/4 of the squad are local lads, brought through the system, giving everything for the team. I just don't get that from Leeds Union or when I watch the Prem Union teams on sky.

Smith had everything at Leeds, golden boy, winning grand finals, earning six figure salary then thought the grass would be greener on the other side, hopped off to wasps and came back within months. The word on the street was he was less than complementary about the Union players welcome and team ethics. He felt the game stifled talent and was bogged down with rules to prevent free flowing rugby (erm no shit Sherlock).

Nowt against Union, it might be on TV more but the games are dull and never live up-to the hype, give me Rhinos vs Cas on a Friday night anytime!

[kinboshi]

Oh dear:

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2086789/Nick-Harris-Banned-Martin-Gleeson-claims-rugbys-governing-body-involved-doping-scandal.html

Not just Gleeson and Long involved in cheating this time, but possibly the whole Hull side! Not good for rugby league at all.