It’s hard to believe that Sio Tomkinson has been working on his tackle technique

It’s hard to believe the Highlanders have been working tirelessly on midfielder Sio Tomkinson’s tackle technique.

The same guy who tried to behead Simon Hickey of Auckland in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon when Tomkinson of Otago hit Hickey on the head with his shoulder.

But, apparently, they have. Heck, go back a month and then Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger even defended him after he knocked Crusaders mainstay Oli Jager off the ball, a hit that stopped the game for about 10 minutes and caused Jager was hospitalized.

Mauger said Tomkinson’s tackle technique and quality are “really good” as a result of the Highlanders and the 24-year-old working diligently to avoid further flaws in his disciplinary record.

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Yet here we are. Tomkinson faces a long season on the touchline after he was sent off after the horn in Otago’s 38-6 loss to Auckland.

Auckland and All Blacks center Rieko Ioane called it “a low shot” after the game, citing Tomkinson’s reputation as a hit man from his playing days at Otago Boys high school.

“He’s a tough hitter, he’s always been since he went to school, and he just needs to lower his hips,” Ioane said.

Tomkinson has a criminal record.

He was suspended for three games earlier this year for an ugly shot on Brumbies fullback Tom Banks. Initially, he received a yellow card, before Sanzaar’s foul play committee deemed that he warranted a red card.

It was a reversal of an incident from last year, when he put a big shot at Chiefs blocking Brodie Retallick and received a red card, only for a review to conclude it was shoulder-to-shoulder contact, rather than head-to-head. .

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson suggested Tomkinson should have received a red card for his shot on Jager last month in Christchurch, after referee Paul Williams settled for yellow. Tomkinson was not cited after the game.

His last chance was a plague in what was an entertaining opening round of the Miter Cup 10.

Auckland’s big win has them atop the prime minister, though Waikato, reigning champions Tasman and Canterbury also recorded impressive bonus point wins to kick off their campaigns.

A plethora of All Blacks racing through their provinces for the first time in the better part of two decades undoubtedly spawned tasty rugby, including Damian McKenzie who set Wellington ablaze with 33 points in a 53-28 victory at Hamilton.

McKenzie scored from a 90-meter interception, kicking a whopping six penalties and five conversions to convict last year’s finalists, who received attempts from Ardie and Julian Savea.

Making his Taranaki debut four years after starting his provincial career with Canterbury, Jordie Barrett scored the sealing try of the match when the Ambers and Blacks knocked down Sam Cane’s Bay of Plenty 36-29 at Inglewood.

All Blacks captain Cane, who hasn’t tasted victory in over six months, played the entire game, but couldn’t stop new All Black Tupou Vaa’i from scoring two attempts in one of the two games of the initial round decided by unique figures. .

All Blacks rake Codie Taylor scored two attempts in Canterbury’s 43-29 win against North Harbor on Friday night as the Reds and Blacks trailed 22-21 at the half, but softened in the wind. behind him in the final stretch.

Crusaders hooker Andrew Makalio also scored twice, both in lineout series, in Tasman’s 41-24 win over former All Blacks captain Kieran Read’s Counties Manukau in Pukekohe on Saturday night.

The injection of All Black Aaron Smith in the second half was not enough for the Turbos to withstand a rising Northland, as Taniwha turned a 20-3 deficit into a 43-26 break at Whangarei, propelling them to the top of the championship.

In miserable Invercargill conditions, the Southland championship team edged Hawke’s Bay 16-10 to record their second win since 2017.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

Canterbury 43 (Codie Taylor 2, Rameka Poihipi, Cullen Grace, Isaiah Punivai, George Bridge tries; Brett Cameron 3 with, pen, Richie Mo’unga 2 with) North port 29 (Miss McGarvey-Black, Walter Fifita tries; Bryn Gatland 5 pens, 2 with). HT: 21-22

Waikato 53 (Xavier Roe, Fletcher Smith, Adam Thomson, Damian McKenzie, Luke Jacobson tries; McKenzie 5 scam, 6 pens) Wellington 28 (Julian Savea, Vaea Fifita, Connor Garden-Bachop, Ardie Savea tries; Jackson Garden-Bachop 4 scam). HT: 23-21

Auckland 38 (Leni Apisai 2, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane attempts, penalty attempt; Harry Plummer 4 scam, pen) Otago 6 (Josh Ioane 2 pen). HT: 24-6

Tasmania 41 (Andrew Makalio 2, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Leicester Paginga’anuku tries; Mitch Hunt 4 cons, 2 pens) Manukau Counties 24 (Potu Leavasa, Dalton Papalii, Viliame Taulani tries; Baden Kerr pen, 3 cons). HT: 21-17

Taranaki 36 (Tupou Vaa’i 2, Ricky Riccitelli, Jordie Barrett tries; Jordie Barrett 3 penalty attempt scam, pen) Bay of Plenty 29 (Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Keepa Mewett, Emoni Narawa, Fa’asiu Fuatai tries; Dan Hollinshead 2 with, Otere Black pen, with). HT: 24-19

Northland 43 (Sam Caird, Sam Nock, Sam McNamara, Jordan Olsen, Wiseguy Fiane, Rene Ranger tries; Dan Hawkins, Wiseguy Fiane 2 cons; Hawkins pen) Manawatū 26 (Sam Stewart, James Tofa, try; Ben Wyness 2 scam, 4 pens) HT: 22-20

Southland 16 (Greg Pleasants-Tate 2 attempts; Scott Eade 2 pen) Hawke’s Bay 10 (Ash Dixon 2 attempts). HT: 6-10 Hawke’s Bay.