League: Sam Tomkins 'never really lived up' to the promise, says Peter Sterling

After originally arriving on a big money three-year deal, the Warriors announced in April that Sam Tomkins would be returning to Wigan at the end of the season. Photo / Getty Images

Departing Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins' two year stint in the NRL has been judged as a failure by former Parramatta Eels great and league commentator Peter Sterling.

Speaking on Sydney's Triple M radio, the former New South Wales and Australian halfback and four-time Premiership winner said the England fullback had failed to live up to his billing as one of the world's most exciting players.

After taking some time to find his feet in the NRL last year, Tomkins showed glimpses of the class and ability that he had produced in his previous stint with Wigan in the UK Super League.

His 2015 season has been hampered by injury and he played only 13 games and scored just one try.

Sterling said the Tomkins experiment had not worked and alluded to a perceived reluctance to test the defensive line or involve himself in heavy contact.

"He came out with a lot of promise and just never really lived up to it," Sterling said on Triple M's Rush Hour show.

"It may be something to do with the way fullbacks gets hit in the modern game today, but I've got to say that James Tedesco and the like aren't that big.

"It may well be to do with the side that he played with as well, the Warriors.

"He never kicked on from that [a good first season] so to answer the question, I thought he was disappointing in the NRL."

After originally arriving in New Zealand on a big money three-year deal, the Warriors announced in April that Tomkins would be returning to Wigan at the end of the season, with Sydney Roosters and Kiwis No1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck secured as his replacement.

Tomkins cited home sickness as the reason behind his early release.

The 26-year-old fell victim to another injury in his left knee and was forced from the field during the second-half of Sunday's demoralising 50-16 thrashing at the hands of Wests Tigers.

He may not feature in Warriors colours again after being overlooked for Sunday's final round away clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs, but assistant coach Andrew Webster said he will be given every chance to prove his fitness.

"Sam's battled with that knee for a while. We'll probably give him every chance [to play] but it's looking like unfortunately Sam might have played his last game for the Warriors which I'm sure he's going to be disappointed with and we're disappointed as well," said Webster.