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Otago’s Sio Tomkinson has been given a six-week suspension as a result of his dangerous tackle on Auckland’s Simon Hickey.
Tomkinson received a red card from referee James Munro in the 81st minute of Auckland’s 38-6 win at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin for the dangerous tackle that resulted in direct contact with Hickey’s head.
The Otago and Highlanders midfielder has been far from an outsider in the court system for the past 18 months.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Simon Hickey falls to the ground after a high shot from Otago’s Sio Tomkinson.
He has already been 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.
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He was also fortunate to escape suspension for a foul shot that saw Crusaders support Oli Jager hospitalized in August. Tomkinson received a yellow card and was not called after the game.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson suggested that Tomkinson should have received a red card for his shot on Jager.
Joe Allison / Getty Images
Otago’s Sio Tomkinson received a six-week suspension for the high throw.
Last year, Tomkinson 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.
In February this year, then-Highlanders coach Aaron Mauger revealed that the powerful utility running back had already been working on his tackle technique before the three-game ban on the Banks shot.
In his latest case, Duty Judicial Officer (DJO) Nigel Hampton QC found that Tomkinson’s action was reckless and resulted in Hickey being injured and taken off the field.
The entry point for the sanction was ruled to be at the high end of 10 weeks, but Hampton took into account Tomkinson’s immediate admission of wrongdoing and the expression of regret that resulted in the final six-week suspension.
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.
Tomkinson will miss Otago’s matches against Manawatū, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Counties Manukau and Northland.
