Re: Joel Tomkins returns : Tue Jun 24, 2014 6:56 am  

BrisbaneRhino wrote:

On Burgess, my understanding is (could be wrong) that he's been signed to play in the centres. He wants to play in the World Cup next year, and there's little chance he'd be even half proficient at the RU forwards' stock in trade by that time. He won't be leaving Souths until their season is up, which most likely means no pre-season at all in RU - just straight into it.

I just look at his build and the way he plays and can see him having the odd flash moment in both attack and defence, but in the centres his basic lack of speed and mobility would be a problem. He's a completely different style of player to SBW, who would be a great RL centre if he wanted to be, as well as pretty good in RU. Burgess would be an average centre in RL, never mind RU.

Couldn't agree more. I think Burgess has made a huge mistake. Down to his ego and rivalry with SBW with him wanting to emulate what Sonny has.

Joel has been unlucky with injuries at crucial times in his RU career. Although not a massive success he has done well. I know a member of Sarries medical team who always spoke highly of Joel. I'm happy he's back however players returning from RU have a history of being half the player they were when they left.

Re: Joel Tomkins returns : Tue Jun 24, 2014 7:10 am  

I'm sorry Sam Burgess has gone for now.
But some of the above is rubbish.
Burgess will be the best centre by far that the England RU team has had in the professional era. I'm disregarding their 'amateur' days when prancing lightweights like Woodward were in vogue.
Trouble is, if England did win their World Cup, Sam would be gone for years.
Best result is if he has some stormers personally but England get goal kicked out.
Then Sam might be back in RL before he goes too soft.

Re: Joel Tomkins returns : Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:19 pm  

I know it's a different type of player,... but I couldn't believe the transformation of Lee Smith in just a year he had in Union

Not sure how much this was down to his attitude or what, but he was hardly half the player he was before he left.

Re: Joel Tomkins returns : Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:26 pm  

I'm sure Burgess will be a mediocre success in Union due to him making flashy runs, big tackles and some flashy off-loads ie not what usually happens in northern hemisphere RU, but they will soon get tired of this novelty just like they did with Chris Ashton.

Re: Joel Tomkins returns : Tue Jun 24, 2014 3:30 pm  

Difference is that Ashton had 3 years of bedding in before he had to play for England... Burgess will not have that luxury