Sam Tomkins to Return to England After Mixed NRL Stint

Sam Tomkins has been granted an early release from his three-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors and will return home to England at the conclusion of the 2015 season, according to David Skipwith of the New Zealand Herald.

It is a move that seemed inevitable after rumours of the English fullback suffering from homesickness, as well as the inking of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's signature for the 2016 season.

Tomkins arrived in New Zealand with plenty of hype at the beginning of 2014. Reports of his exploits in the UK's Super League had trickled their way down to the southern hemisphere, and by all accounts, the Warriors had penned a superstar to their books.

He started off pretty well, too, showing off his dangerous running game at the Auckland Nines, proving a key player for the hosts alongside Shaun Johnson. With four players fewer on the park, he made use of the extra space available, and his ability to saunter through holes in the defence was evident.

Once the real thing started, it was a tougher transition. He took a while adjusting to the more physical nature of the NRL, at times being run through far too easily on defence, struggling to make any physical impact on attack, while also faltering under the high ball.

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As the season wore on, he began to look more polished. The fast-paced, open game the Warriors are known for suited him, and he began to threaten coming into the line.

His best attribute has been having arguably the fastest pair of hands in the Premiership, timing his run into the line and almost hitting the ball to his outside man with unerring accuracy. It is this speed that has created space for his wingers, as the defence all of a sudden finds itself not having drifted far enough.

Despite his undeniable danger on attack, he never quite worked his way into the category of the NRL's elite fullbacks.

Never in the class of Greg Inglis, Billy Slater or Jarryd Hayne, he would perhaps find himself somewhere in the mix with the next tier of No. 1's. Had he stayed longer, he may have found the form to work his way into the top five fullbacks in the Premiership, but he has not done that just yet.

With three quarters of a season left until his departure, there is still time for Tomkins to make a statement in the south. Whether he does or not, he has shown enough flashes of brilliance to give Warriors fans some fond memories of his stint with their team.