E159: SAM TOMKINS

In the last of our short series, inspired by the Rugby League World Cup, we're joined by the humble, hard-working and high-performing Sam Tomkins, the captain and talisman of England’s men’s team who are aiming to win the coveted trophy later this month.

 In Sam Walker’s brilliant book, Captain Class, he identified that the best teams have great captains, those who play on the edge, make others better and step up at crucial moments. Sam is certainly a leader who does this and much more but, as he explained to us, this has not come easily.

 He was never identified as a great talent, having to pay to play at Wigan Warriors whilst holding down a full-time job as a green-keeper at a local golf course. Whilst he was there, he refused to compromise and kept his dream of representing his boyhood team alive. His willingness to do the work in the shadows, the hard, relentless grind in the toughest of sports distinguished him and prepared him for the moment when luck met opportunity and he got his shot.

 Sam was a central figure in Wigan’s renaissance, winning Grand Finals and Challenge Cups before deciding to stretch his horizons and test himself in New Zealand. He returned to Wigan and led them to further glory before once again, being stepping outside his comfort zone by moving to France with Catalan Dragons.

 Sam’s story is packed with incredible lessons, inspiring messages and insightful observations from his climb to the summit of world sport. 

(HP Plus subscribers can enjoy a special extended version on this episode)