Tomkinson loving game time
PLAYERS, by the very definition of the word, like to play.
Training comes and goes but the ultimate journey every week ends in a game.
For Sio Tomkinson that has been the pleasure of this season for Otago — getting out on the field and playing the game.
And playing in his preferred position.
Tomkinson (22) will line up at second fiveeighth for the Blue and Golds tonight when they take on Hawke’s Bay in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The former Otago Boys’ High School First XV star said getting out on the field was the best part of the season with Otago.
‘‘It was pretty frustrating with the Highlanders, not getting much game time. So here with Otago I’m making the most of being out on the field,’’ Tomkinson said.
‘‘As a player you just want to get out and play good footy and you get better at that the more games you play and you get more familiar with your position.’’
Tomkinson started just two games — out of 17 — for the Highlanders his season and just one of them was in his favoured second fiveeighth position.
That was in the match against the Waratahs when the dismissal of winger Tevita Nabura early in the match did his teammates no favours.
Tomkinson likes the No 12 jersey, where he feels he can show all his wares.
‘‘I prefer that. It is where I played all my footy growing up. You make more tackles at 12 and can be more aggressive while at 13 [centre] you have more space to work with and you have to communicate more.
‘‘Not that I mind where I play. Anywhere will be fine for Otago.’’
Tomkinson has bulked up to 96kg for Otago, putting on 4kg since playing for the Highlanders and believes that is his ideal playing weight.
The side is looking to continue on from its impressive performance to win the Ranfurly Shield last Saturday.
‘‘That was a great win. Especially to go up to Hamilton and beat them on their home track. It was great for us, the community and the fans.
‘‘But we have left that behind. We are fully focused on this game and what we have to do against them.’’
He said the side needed to play much better than when it lost to 3125 to Hawke’s Bay earlier in the season.
‘‘We missed too many tackles when we played them last time. Didn’t knock their big fellas down.
‘‘So we need a big defensive effort this week . . . it’s just all around the little details. If we can nail those down then we will give ourselves a good chance.’’
Tomkinson, who will be back at the Highlanders next year, is one of the key men tonight as Otago looks to keep up its momentum.
Otago lost to Hawke’s Bay in August but has won six from eight games since then.
Otago coach Ben Herring said the loss against Hawke’s Bay was a turning point for his side as it had a thorough review and changed a few things.
It will face a determined Hawke’s Bay team which has not won two games in a row all season and is coming off a heavy 290 defeat by Tasman in its final regularseason game, although it did not field a fullstrength team.