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Sam Tomkins
Sam Tomkins best player I've seen, says Iestyn Harris
AUTUMN INTERNATIONAL SERIES: WALES V ENGLAND
- Venue: Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham
- Date: Saturday 27 October
- Kick-off: 14:30 BST
Coverage: Live on BBC One, BBC HD, BBC Sport website and mobile phones from 14:15 BST; watch again on BBC iPlayer
Wales coach Iestyn Harris says England full-back Sam Tomkins is the best player he has "ever seen".
Harris believes the mentality of the Wigan star, who misses Saturday's Autumn International against Wales through injury, sets him apart.
"Sam's the best rugby player I've seen," Harris, who played for Wales in both codes, told BBC Sport.
"He's got desire and attitude in abundance. That's why he's successful, along with his skill level."
Tomkins, 23, is widely regarded as one of the game's most talented players and was recently named 2012 Super League Man of Steel by his fellow professionals.
His performances for Wigan, for whom he has scored 110 tries in 126 first-team appearances, has seen him linked with a switch to Australia's National Rugby League or to follow brother Joel in a cross-code move to rugby union.
Ex-Leeds and Bradford half-back Harris, a former Man of Steel himself, would like to see Tomkins and other Super League players become mainstream British celebrities to boost the sport's profile.
"People would see what they are like as people and the game would grow nationally because of that," he said.
"I don't think we've got enough celebrities in the game like other sports have got."
Wales, defeated 20-6 by France in their opening Autumn International match, are aiming to bounce back against England in Wrexham on Saturday [14:30 BST].
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Comment number 61.
Stuart28th October 2012 - 20:56
@58
I wouldn't take anything Harris says as serious, simply because he's talking out of the back of his head. Tomkins could not hold a candle to Ellery Hanley in his pomp. Harris will have seen Hanley when at Wigan or he started watching RL late on in which case he should think more before speaking.
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Comment number 60.
bezzer28th October 2012 - 15:07
sam is a fantastic rugby league player the game suits him down to the ground but rugby union? dont think so he,d never see the ball, the one and only reason he would switch is money simple as. then come and play for the leicester tigers sam.
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Comment number 59.
Guevara27th October 2012 - 14:18
Yes Sam is the best all round british at moment but he needs to lose the whinging attitude as it winds him up and he becomes in effective..observe Billy Slater.
All time greats
Wally Lewis; "The King"
Brett Kenny
Elleray Hanley
Brad Fittler
Shaun Edwards
Mal Meninga
Peter Sterling
Darren Lockyear
Alfie Langer
Billy Boston
Future greats Cameron smith Billy Slater Jon Thurston
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Comment number 58.
Redeyedboy27th October 2012 - 12:36
I am sure Harris' comments have been taken out of context and if you were to pin him down he could come up with a few different names.
Tomkins is the best player in England at the moment, but there are 4 better FB's currently playing in the NRL (Slater, Barba, Inglis, Stewart).
And finally to Moley, your comments on Sinfield are so wide of the mark its embarrassing!
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Comment number 57.
al_woody727th October 2012 - 10:19
Thurston has more skill and ability, Lockyear had consistency and brain, which is a skill in itself. Two very different players if you analyse them The greatest doesn't always mean the best.
1. Andrew Johns
2. Wally Lewis
3. Darren Lockyear
As for awards, they don't mean anything. Todd Carney got a Daily M so does that mean he is better than lockyear? HA!
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Comments 5 of 61