Sam Tomkins switch could see 'marquee player allowance' introduced, says Jon Wells
Wednesday 8 April 2015 17:36, UK
Jon Wells believes the return of Sam Tomkins to Super League could bring about the introduction of a ‘marquee player allowance’.
Former Wigan man Tomkins will leave New Zealand Warriors at the end of the current season after the NRL club agreed to release him from his contract early due to homesickness.
According to Wells, Tomkins will be sorely missed by the Warriors but it is back at home and off the field that his move could make the biggest impact.
“Tomkins' wage demands will be considerable (for) any Super League club,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “There is already a meeting scheduled in June to discuss and possibly ratify a new ‘marquee player allowance’ in the Super League.
“Today's news could well be the push that advocates of this proposal need to get this rule change passed.
“It would effectively allow any club with the funds to identify one player who they can sign at whatever salary they choose, and he would be exempt from the salary cap imposed on Super League clubs.”
Such a rule could be hugely important for rugby league in Britain and with Tomkins likely to be seen as a ‘test case’ of sorts, the likelihood of it becoming a reality has improved.
“This has two major benefits,” argued Wells. “In principle, it will allow Super League clubs to retain and sign top talent and increase the quality and watch-ability of Super League.
“It will also go some way to preventing the same talent from defecting to rugby union or the NRL in future.
“Very often rules changes and amendments such as these come about because of a ‘test case’ - be it on-field rule changes that arise because of inconsistencies that creep into our game on the field, or off the field, for example, franchising versus promotion and relegation.
“Sam's desire to return to the UK looks like the ‘test case’ that will signal the arrival of the ‘marquee allowance’ to Super League.”
