Highlanders wing banned

Highlanders wing has been suspended for three weeks by Sanzaar after being charged with a dangerous tackle in his side’s 23-22 win over the Brumbies on Saturday. Tomkinson was only yellow-carded by Australian referee Nic Berry for a 44th-minute hit on Brumbies fullback Tom Banks in the third-round Super Rugby match in Canberra. He appeared to make contact with the Australian player’s head, leaving Brumbies coach Dan McKellar to lament the lack of a harsher penalty at the time. Highlanders forwards coach Clarke Dermody on Monday defended the hard-hitting utility back after Sanzaar cited him but the 23-year-old was duly banned after a guilty plea. Tomkinson is suspended up to and including March 7.