Super League says farewell to its brightest star

For someone who has interviewed Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe at a red carpet premiere, it seemed only fitting that Sam Tomkins' Wigan career had to have a perfect ending fit for a Hollywood script.

All eyes will be on Tomkins right from the start, particularly as South Sydney's Sam Burgess and Canterbury's James Graham have been two recent exports from England that have made an impact in the NRL, the latter leaving a considerable mark on Billy Slater during the 2012 Grand Final. The difference is, however, that those two were forwards. Tomkins can't wow the crowd early on with a couple of big hits, or a barnstorming run with ball in hand. With the benefit of playing alongside the half-back pairing of the ridiculously skilful Shaun Johnson and former Warriors colleague Thomas Leuluai (who played a part in acquiring his signature) Tomkins will be expected to score and create tries for Matthew Elliott's team. He will also be expected to deal with every high kick that is dropped onto his head and make metres on every return. Such is the price of costing so much, even in the mega-rich NRL these days. Still, the statistics show he's capable of living up to such lofty expectations. In the last three seasons in Super League he's managed 77 tries and also laid on 72 for his colleagues. No player broke through more tackles in Super League in 2013, and that was despite his campaign being hampered by injuries.

World Cup

Before the Milton Keynes-born Tomkins can look forward to his new life in New Zealand there is the small matter of a World Cup to focus on. The tournament offers a final chance for rugby league fans in the United Kingdom to see him perform on home turf for the foreseeable future - the 2014 Four Nations tournament is due to take place in Australia and New Zealand, and it seems unlikely the Warriors will release one of their prized assets for a mid-season international. It is to be hoped there is no repeat of the booing that greeted him donning an England shirt against the Exiles in 2011 - Tomkins is a special player that should be savoured while we still can. Sky Sports' Terry O'Connor made his opinion clear recently, stating: "Tomkins is the best player in the world; he can do things no other player can do with his speed, balance, and vision to break down the opposition." Whether you fully agree or not with O'Connor's assessment is not really important, but there is no doubt that Super League's loss is very much the NRL's gain. Let's just hope it's a case of "play it again, Sam" when, maybe if, he decides to return from New Zealand. Perhaps Barrie McDermott summed it up best when saying "I think it is a good move for Tomkins in terms of his profile and ability to earn money, but it is a sad reflection of where our game is at the minute."