Sam Tomkins has no regrets over leaving NRL
Sunday 25 October 2015 11:03, UK
Sam Tomkins insists he has no regrets over quitting the NRL due to homesickness as he prepares to make his first appearance on British soil for two years.
The full-back was criticised after cutting short his stay with New Zealand Warriors to return to Wigan.
After making just 13 appearances in 2015 due to injury, the England international was branded the worst NRL buy in history by the Rugby League Week magazine.
But Tomkins believes he made the right decision to come home.
"I won't lose too much sleep over that. I didn't know I was top, but someone told me on Twitter about the article," he told the Press Association.
"People think I've not enjoyed it because I cut it short a year early.
"That's not the case, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a beautiful place to live - I've kept my house there because I want to go back at some point.
"I enjoyed it, but, with other things happening in my life, it was a good time to come back."
Tomkins was forced to miss England's opening autumn international against France on Saturday because of the knee injury he suffered in Auckland.
But he is expected to be fit for the three Test series against New Zealand which starts in Hull next Sunday.
That will force coach Steve McNamara into making a tough decision after going with in-form Leeds full-back Zak Hardaker, the newly-crowned Super League Man of Steel, against the French.
Hardaker was among those to impress in an 84-4 rout of France at Leigh and Tomkins admits McNamara is facing a welcome dilemma.
"It's good we're in a position where Steve has got these headaches to make with me and Zak being in the squad," he said.
"People will be missing out all over the field too, and although it's a headache for Steve, it's a good one to have.
"The depth is great for the country now; younger lads like George Williams and John Bateman are hugely talented and it will make a real difference for the country in the years to come."
