Sam Tomkins has made the transition from player to pundit look seamless with his work on multiple broadcasts last year seeing him snapped up by Sky Sports as a mainstay, however, he’s put his neck on the line this week with a major upset prediction.
Of course, pundits need to be bold and be out there, their role is to bring analysis and takes and the take that Sam Tomkins made last night on Sky Sports’ coverage of Leigh Leopards versus Wigan Warriors was certainly out there.
Brian Carney led a five-minute round-up of the games to come in Super League this week with both Sam Tomkins and Jamie Jones-Buchanan making their predictions and after the pair were unanimous on Hull KR defeating London Broncos and split on Warrington and Leeds, Saturday’s game between Hull FC and Huddersfield was next up.
Tomkins has bravely picked out Hull FC to take the two points, arguing: “Huddersfield haven’t been outstanding and Hull FC have obviously been very disappointing. I think the fact that Hull FC are at home is a big thing. It’s a tough place to go and get points.
“This year it’s not proven that but I know from experience that you can go to Hull FC away and face a really gritty side and I think at some point they’re going to show up, so I think this will be the one where Hull FC can get the fans back onside and get a win at home.”
Brian Carney quickly pointed out Huddersfield’s monstrous Challenge Cup win at the MKM just two weeks ago with Hull FC put to the sword by a score of 50-6, however, Tomkins stood firm on his prediction.
“He’s gone for a Hull FC Black and White win, remember where you heard that first,” Carney reacted.
Can Hull FC really beat Huddersfield Giants as Sam Tomkins states?
Credit: Imago Images
Hull FC have started the season in torrid form with just one win in six Super League games and a further humiliating loss to weekend opponents Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup.
They’ve also scored the third-fewest points in Super League, just four points more than London and two more than Castleford who are the two winless sides in Super League. In fact almost half of London’s points were scored against Hull FC in the Black and Whites’ only win so far this season.
Derby day defeat last week cemented the poor start whereas Huddersfield defeated London Broncos in the capital with relative ease despite an early scare which makes Sam Tomkins’ prediction even the more strange.
Hull FC are priced as 3/1 outsiders by Super League sponsors Betfred with the handicap line set at ten points, however, FC have lost each of their Super League games by more than ten points this season with four of the five losses being by margins of 22 points or more.
The Giants have twice registered 50 points this season, once against FC, but perhaps Tomkins’ prediction could come true based on last season’s meeting between the two with FC snapping a seven-game losing streak by upending the Giants in their own back yard.
One man who doesn’t think the upset is on the cards was fellow pundit Jamie Jones-Buchanan who was full of praise for Huddersfield and was pencilling the victory into the Super League table, stating: “I’m listening to Ian Watson in post-match press conferences and he’s really excited about the way that his team is building, developing, going under the radar. I think they’re on six points but after this weekend it could be eight.”
The game can be watched live on Sky Sports and SuperLeague+ with details of all rugby league on TV here.
