Set of six: Sadness for Tomkins

Sam Tomkins of the Warriors. Photo / Getty Images

Hours before the Warriors' showdown against the Panthers last Sunday, fullback Sam Tomkins took to Twitter seeking information about the death of his friend and Wigan junior teammate Luke Rhoden. The 25-year-old was holidaying in Ibiza when he fell from a hotel balcony and then died in an ambulance after a scrape with local police.

Get in line

As if their final-round defeat to Penrith wasn't embarrassing enough, the Warriors were subjected to further humiliation upon arriving back in Auckland. Set of Six was told by a witness how a group of players arrived at customs and tried to skip ahead of the queue only to be refused by a customs officer who told them, "You aren't special." Ouch.

Happy Meal time

Once the team had cleared customs, the waiting television news cameras didn't miss the chance to capture the Warriors exiting the airport with McDonald's takeaways. It seems no time was wasted in getting their off-season started, and Set of Six has no issue with that. However, no doubt club sponsor Wendy's would have preferred the boys to have stopped by one of their own drive-through restaurants.

Hoffman in form

Those who have questioned the wisdom behind the Warriors signing Storm and NSW State of Origin back-rower Ryan Hoffman should give themselves an uppercut. Hoffman was dynamic in his side's crucial win over the Broncos last Friday and on Wednesday was rewarded for his outstanding Origin form, named joint winner of the Brad Fittler medal, together with Jarryd Hayne.

Good-time Joey

Newcastle legend and the eighth immortal Andrew Johns livened up Sydney's Triple M radio broadcast on Saturday afternoon when reflecting on the many enjoyable times he had during his playing years. Joey told listeners he rated some of his Mad Mondays as better occasions than the days his children were born.

Marshall cold-shouldered

Hard to believe Kiwis selectors couldn't see the sense in picking Benji Marshall for their wider training group ahead of the Four Nations tournament. What would be the harm in having the former Kiwis captain involved with the extended group even if he is a long-shot for making the final cut? Even if there is no room for him as a halfback or five-eighth, he could provide utility value as a back-up hooker or even fullback?