14 February 2024 , 09:30
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He's always seen as a pantomime villain but Sam Tomkins hopes to reveal his true self in a new ground-breaking documentary.
The legendary ex-Wigan star allowed access-all-areas to filmmakers for the final few months of his decorated career. Tomkins: The Last Chance is an in-depth look at the player and the man as the former England captain dramatically steered Catalans to last season’s Betfred Super League Grand Final. Pieced together with exclusive footage and interviews with family, team-mates and coaches as he rides the highs and lows, Tomkins admits it’s an “emotional” watch.
But it’s laced with humour, not least hearing his mum call him a “mummy’s boy” and the on-field exchanges picked up when wearing a microphone in his shirt for the final four games. Made by Jam Films and produced and directed by Joe Gardiner, Tomkins explained: “There’s not many rugby league documentaries out there and they’ve never focused on a player. Joe thought I’d a good story to tell. And after a few chats, it got me excited.
“The first part is about me growing up and then the second is the last year at Catalans being my last chance: It was almost like we had to get to a Grand Final to make it worthwhile. With the microphone, it’s never been done before. It’s quite funny hearing what you’re saying in the heat of the battle. There’s a few embarrassing ones as well.
“It was strange as inevitably you never hear that back; what gets said in dressing rooms and during the entirety of a game. But it does get documented here.”
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The film delves into the pain of Tomkins being told he should retire. You hear his elation as his last-gasp try defeats champions St Helens to reach Old Trafford - and witness first-hand the agony of defeat against Wigan with his family also miked up in the stands. England boss Shaun Wane, England captain George Williams, ex-Wigan team-mate Josh Charnley and St Helens' Tommy Makinson are all interviewed in the documentary.
Sam Tomkins at home with his four children while being interviewed for new documentary Tomkins: The Last ChanceThey will also join Tomkins on stage for a ticketed Q&A at the film premiere at Wigan’s The Edge on Wednesday February 28. Interviewed back at his home in the south of France, Tomkins, 34, said: “It’s both sides of my life, on and off the field. “Throughout my career I’ve probably been the pantomime villain but that’s not what I’m really like.
“I’m a husband and dad of four. It’s interesting when my kids get asked questions on the film! The vast majority of people only know Sam Tomkins the rugby player; they don’t know what I’m like at home. I spend two hours a week on the field. I’m a family man more than anything else. That’s what the documentary gets across: the balance.”
Meanwhile, Tomkins is getting used to the idea of not playing again after his 16 year career came to an end - and the prospect of a new career in broadcasting his helping. He has joined Sky Sports' team and, asked how he feels as everyone prepares to lace up their boots again for this week's big kick-off, the ex-Man of Steel said: “That will be curbed a little bit with the fact I’m still working.
“Game days, for me, are just a little bit different now. I love doing the TV work and there’s a lot of similarities: you’re working in a team, there’s a lot of prep’ into what you’re going to do and it’s all live. If you make an error you know about it and after it you review your performance. I love the sport and I didn’t want to retire. But the fact I’ll be involved a lot on game day means I’m in a good position to mentally be OK.”
Tickets for Tomkins: The Last Chance premiere and Q&A on Wednesday February 28 are available at quaytickets.com/theedge priced from £40.