League: Warriors misused Tomkins - former coach

The Warriors were unable to get the best out of Sam Tomkins during his time in the NRL. Photo / Getty

The Warriors didn't get the best out of Sam Tomkins - but he will once again have a massive impact on Super League.

That's the view of Wigan coach Shaun Wane, who is delighted to have the former Super League Man of Steel back in Lancashire.

Wane, who has coached Tomkins since he was a 15-year-old, doesn't mince words with his views on the high profile Warriors signing.

"I don't think the NRL saw the best of Sam," said Wane. "But it is huge for us to have him back. He's is a great competitor - he really wants to win and you need to have those kind of guys around."

Wane, who had seen Tomkins pick up numerous trophies in England including two Premiership titles and two Challenge Cups, laments the fact that Tomkins wasn't a bigger success down under.

Tomkins had a promising first season at Mt Smart, scoring 13 tries and contributing 12 try assists, the equal most on the team. But last year was a disappointment; he played only 13 games, with only four try assists and just a solitary try.

"The injuries this year didn't help at all," said Wane. "But I don't know if the Warriors got the best out of him; I don't know if they used him in the best way."

Tomkins was a visitor to the Kiwis training just outside Wigan today, hobbling in on crutches after his operation last week to fix a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
He caught up with Ben Matulino and some of his other former Warriors teammates and admitted he wasn't looking forward to the extended recovery, as he isn't expected back on the field until March

The Kiwis completed a field session - in unseasonal sunshine - with a lot of focus on the forwards and close quarter drills. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also stayed behind for extra bomb practice, with the Kiwis expecting an aerial barrage in the third test on Saturday (Sunday NZT).

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