League: Awards snub fuels England

Sam Tomkins. Photo / Getty Images

England star Sam Tomkins says his team's snubbing at the international rugby league awards is added motivation to beat Australia in the Four Nations final.

English players failed to pick up a single award at this month's ceremony in London, where Kangaroos fullback Billy Slater scooped the player of the year award.

The team of the year spots were filled entirely by NRL players.

Tomkins, who signed a new three-year deal with Wigan last week, ending speculation of a move to the NRL, said while players had not dwelled on being overlooked, it provided extra incentive to prove their worth at Elland Road.

"It was like the Aussie and Kiwi awards. There didn't seem any reason for us to be there,'' said fullback Tomkins.

"There are reasons they won, as there are some great players there and the Aussies and Kiwis really took over those awards.

"But it's up to us now to prove we should, and get our names up there.''

The 22-year-old Tomkins has announced himself as a world class fullback during the Four Nations tournament, and could not be contained in the pivotal win over New Zealand.

Despite his form, he has endured a love-hate relationship with England fans, who perceive him to be arrogant.

Tomkins admits he was over-awed in the 2009 final when Australia cruised to a 44-16 win thanks to a barnstorming second-half performance.

However, he believes the team showed enough quality in the 36-20 defeat to the Kangaroos at Wembley earlier in the tournament to fuel the belief they could spoil Darren Lockyer's farewell party.

"I think it is a very different situation to what we were two years ago, personally and as a team,'' Tomkins said.

"I think we were bigger underdogs in 2009, we probably thought we didn't have much chance of beating them.

"This year we feel that we have the team to do it.''

- AAP