Sam Tomkins insists he’s loved life in New Zealand

New Zealand Warriors full-back Sam Tomkins maybe returning to Wigan next season, but he maintains that he has had a great time playing in the NRL.

Tomkins states that he could never have seen himself settling as well had he moved to a Sydney-based side.

“I want to make it clear, though, that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in New Zealand and I certainly have no regrets about making the move Down Under,” Tomkins told the New Zealand Herald.

“The Warriors were the right club for me. I could not have seen myself living in Sydney and settling with any other club. It is too much of a goldfish bowl over there, whereas the environment here at the Warriors really suits me.

“I’ve had a ball over the past 18 months and will continue enjoying my time here over the next few months as well.”

Tomkins is also pleased that the reaction from Warriors fans to his imminent departure has been mainly positive.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive response from club members, fans and the general public,” he added.

“Their reaction has been brilliant. A lot of folk that I’ve met on the street or just bumped into have said ‘we’d like you to stay’ but they also understand my reasons for wanting to return home.

“I’ve found a lot of Kiwis are very family-oriented and they seem to understand I’m not leaving for any financial gain or anything like that. I just want to be back around my friends and family and people accept that.”