League: Tomkins right at home in Auckland

Sam Tomkins loves Auckland. Photo / Michael Craig

Sam Tomkins is open to extending his stay in Auckland beyond his current contract which expires at the end of 2016.

The 25-year-old, who returns to the Warriors' lineup against Canberra tonight after missing the season opener with a hamstring injury, was the subject of considerable conjecture last season, with speculation that he may depart before the end of his full term at Mt Smart.

But the former Wigan fullback says he would consider lengthening his time in New Zealand, although his immediate focus is to help lock in some success at the Auckland club.

"I'd be completely open to [staying longer]," Tomkins told the Herald on Sunday. "It depends where the Warriors were and if they wanted me to stay and if I wanted to at that point.

"But right now I'm concentrating on making this season a successful campaign for me and the team. With this squad, if we can all play to the best of our abilities, there is no reason we can't get right amongst it."

Success, longed for by Warriors fans, is also a major priority for Tomkins. He won a truckload of individual and team honours at Wigan and he wants more.

"I didn't travel to the other side of the world to not be in a successful team," he said. "That's why I came here. I wanted the challenge of a new competition but also to be successful in that, both personally and on a team level. Success is a big thing but this is a club that is striving for it. It's one that has probably been starved of success for a while. I'd love nothing more than to win a premiership with these blokes."

This year is pivotal for Tomkins. He struggled to make an impact early last season, unable to find his best form in a team that weren't firing. There were moment of brilliance but also crucial errors.

Things turned in the second half of the season. His combination with the other playmakers began to gel, and he became a vital attacking link.

He contributed 13 try assists - more than anyone else at the club - and also recorded a team-high 108 tackle breaks. Those numbers will guarantee him extra attention this year, his game micro- analysed by opposition teams.

"Last year they got to know how I play but I don't think there is any more pressure now than there was last season," Tomkins said. "I hope to deliver more consistency. I didn't start the best last year so this time I want to get on the front foot and carry that right through."

Tomkins spent the off-season visiting family in England, as well as time in New York and Los Angeles. He watched the Brooklyn Nets, went sightseeing and supplemented his famous sneaker collection.

"I had to book an extra case coming back but it's not a bad addiction to have," laughed Tomkins. "I could be addicted to worse things."

He is still a homebody, but has learned to love life in the Queen city.

"I still miss family and friends but the actual lifestyle here is brilliant. After training, instead of going to sit in Starbucks because it is wet and cold, you can go for a walk on the beach or a swim."

Tonight Tomkins needs to add some guile to an attack that lacked a cutting edge last week. He'll provide an extra option on the edges and is also one of the most prominent talkers in the team.

"He just gives us another dimension," coach Andrew McFadden said. "Losing him last weekend was a significant blow but he is ready to go."