Wigan defy critics but face new challenges ahead in 2014 By Nevel
The joy on the face of Sam Tomkins when the hooter went at Old Trafford showed just what it meant to the England full-back to win the Super League Grand Final with Wigan. In his 152nd and final appearance, before a world-record fee move to New Zealand Warriors, he had helped his side to a success against Warrington that sealed the league and Challenge Cup double, following August's victory against Hull at Wembley. What made the achievement most special to Tomkins and his team-mates was the backdrop in which it had been won. Two top-class half-backs Brett Finch and Thomas Leuluai had left the previous winter, as had prolific centre George Carmont, prompting some sections of the media to question whether the club could challenge for honours. "At the start of this season we were written off to be finishing fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh or whatever it was, because we lost a few players," Tomkins told BBC Sport. "To silence those people and win the double is unbeli...