On Monday, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Leigh Leopards, Castleford Tigers and Salford Red Devils stars landed in hot water as 12 charges were handed out to Super League and League One players including four bans.
Three of these bans went to Super League players: Liam Horne, Liam Watts and Kaide Ellis.
But one man who was only fined was Sam Tomkins of the Catalans Dragons despite the fact many Wigan fans felt he should have been. This is in spite of his legacy at the club.
This was because he raised his knee in a tackle with Brad O’Neill who suffered a suspected broken rib.
Following this, Wigan fans took to social media to vent their frustrations and Tomkins had his fun with it all saying: “No I think I’ll be ok” to one fan.
No I think il be ok 👍🏻
— sam tomkins (@samtomkins1) August 29, 2023
He responded to another claiming he moans about wanting to be liked.
“Please give just one example of me complaining about not being liked.”
Please give just one example of me complaining about not being liked 😂
— sam tomkins (@samtomkins1) August 29, 2023
But the best was when he corrected someone’s grammar.
You’re *
— sam tomkins (@samtomkins1) August 29, 2023
Wigan boss Matt Peet had his say on the matter.
“I’m not going to comment on it … everyone saw what happened,” Peet told Wigan Today.
“I don’t think it’s my place to say anything.
“Brad has gone for X-rays. We needled him up to get him back out there in the second half but it was no good. He’s got a rib issue and we’ll find out the seriousness of it in the coming days I guess.”
Wigan started the game excellently rolling Catalans down field frequently doing what is rarely seen in Super League and out muscling the Dragons in their own back yard.
As they routinely forced their way down field, Wigan eventually got their try as a probing kick from Bevan French caused confusion.
Tom Johnstone came across to deal with it colliding with Toby King allowing Abbas Miski to get to the ball and ground it to score.
Another kick led to another try as Miski rose highest to claim the kick before offloading to centre Toby King to score.
Wigan were on top and causing problems down the edge for Catalans especially down their right and the left of the French side.
Speaking of French, Bevan French continued to torment the Dragons as he ducked and darted through tackles busting tackles to power his way over the line in the corner.
A second conversion from Harry Smith, who also missed a penalty, made it 16-0 before Miski claimed a second try on the stroke of halftime.
Again French caused problems with a probing run and Miski hit a line inside as dummy runners moved wide of the winger allowing Miski to go through on his disguised line and powered through the cover to score a second try.
He would later score his third try as Wigan stormed to a statement victory over the league leaders.
Jake Wardle would add another try capitalising on a Tyrone May error.
It was a result that cemented Wigan’s title credentials but brought up serious questions about the league leaders Catalans Dragons.
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