{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Sio Tomkinson | image = | image_size = | caption = | fullname = Patelesio Fatuloa Tomkinson | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|05|27|df=y}} | birth_place = Dunedin, New Zealand | height = {{convert|182|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|94|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}} | school = Otago Boys' High School | university = | relatives = | occupation = | spouse = | position = Centre, Wing | currentclub = Otago, Highlanders | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2015−2022 | clubs1 = Otago | apps1 = 61 | points1 = 59 | years2 = 2017−2022 | clubs2 = Highlanders | apps2 = 43 | points2 = 70 | years3 = 2022–2024 | clubs3 = Dragons | apps3 = 24 | points3 = 20 | repyears1 = 2016 | repteam1 = New Zealand U20 | repcaps1 = 7 | reppoints1 = 10 | repyears2 = 2020 | repteam2 = South Island | repcaps2 = 0 | reppoints2 = 0 | clubupdate = 12:07, 6 February 2024 (UTC) | repupdate = 21 August 2020 |years4=2025|clubs4=Force}}
'''Sio Tomkinson''' (born 27 May 1996) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a centre for the Western Force in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. He has previously played for the Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship and for the Highlanders.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/61178221 |title=Sio Tomkinson: Dragons sign New Zealander back for next season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Sio Tomkinson Otago Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.orfu.co.nz/otago/player/sio-tomkinson/ | title=Sio Tomkinson Otago Player Profile | work=Otago Rugby Union | accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Sio Tomkinson itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics">{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_35553.html | title=Sio Tomkinson itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics | work=itsrugby.co.uk | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Sio Tomkinson Highlanders Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://thehighlanders.co.nz/our-team/player-profiles/796-patelesio-tomkinson | title=Sio Tomkinson Highlanders Player Profile | publisher=Highlanders Rugby | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide">{{cite web | url=http://files.allblacks.com/comms/2016-ISR/2017_ISR_Squad_Naming_Highlanders-PUBLISHED-01.pdf | title=Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide | publisher=All Blacks.com | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>
==Early career==
Hailing from Otago on New Zealand's South Island, Tomkinson was originally schooled at Kavanagh College in Dunedin before switching to Otago Boys' High School in 2011. He enjoyed a hugely successful time with Otago Boys', winning the Highlanders' first XV competition in each of his seasons with the school as well as scoring a record number of points in a year, more than 450 in 2014.<ref name="Rugby: ORFU thrilled Tomkinson staying in Dunedin">{{cite web | url=https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-orfu-thrilled-tomkinson-staying-dunedin | title=Rugby: ORFU thrilled Tomkinson staying in Dunedin | publisher=Otago Daily Times | date = 4 February 2015 | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref> After leaving school, he began playing for the Harbour Hawks in the local Otago club rugby competition.<ref name="Sio Tomkinson Highlanders Player Profile"/>
==Senior career==
After signing a 2-year deal with the Otago Razorbacks in 2015, Tomkinson debuted for his home province in round 4 of the ITM Cup, a 17-34 defeat at home to {{rut|Tasman}}. In total he played 6 games in his first year at provincial level as the Razorbacks finished 3rd on the championship log before going down comprehensively to {{rut|Wellington}} in the competition's semi-finals. He got more game time as a 20-year-old in 2016, playing 10 of Otago's 12 games throughout a year which ended with them in 1st place on the championship log before they surprisingly lost out to {{rut|North Harbour}} in the final which consigned them to another season of championship rugby in 2017.<ref name="Sio Tomkinson itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics"/>
In April 2022 it was announced that Tomkinson had signed for the Welsh club Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship for the 2022/23 season.
In October 2024 it was announced that Tomkinson had signed for the Western Force in the Super Rugby Pacific competition for the 2025 season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Somerford |first=Ben |date=2024-09-30 |title=Sio signs - Force secure experienced midfielder Tomkinson |url=https://westernforce.rugby/news/sio-signs-force-secure-midfielder-tomkinson-20241001 |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=westernforce.rugby }}</ref>
==Super Rugby==
An impressive debut season for the Razorbacks in provincial rugby in 2015 saw him named as a member of the {{Rut|Highlanders}} wider training group ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season.<ref name="Highlanders 2016 Squad Guide">{{cite web | url=http://files.allblacks.com/comms/2016_ISR/2016_ISR_Squad_Naming_Highlanders-F01.pdf | title=Highlanders 2016 Squad Guide | work=All Blacks Rugby | accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref> The presence of experienced backline players such as Malakai Fekitoa, Matt Faddes and Rob Thompson in the Highlanders set-up meant that Tomkinson had to spend the year kicking his heels on the sidelines, however, in 2017, new Highlanders head-coach, Tony Brown promoted him to the senior squad.<ref name="Highlanders 2017 Squad Guide"/>
==International==
Tomkinson represented New Zealand Schools in 2014, scoring a try and being named MVP in their 34-24 win over Australia.<ref name="New Zealand Schools defeat Australia">{{cite web | url=http://www.allblacks.com/News/26101/new-zealand-schools-defeat-australia | title=New Zealand Schools defeat Australia | work=All Blacks | date = 5 October 2014 | accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref> He was also a member of the New Zealand Under-20 side which finished 5th in the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in England, scoring 2 tries in 5 matches.<ref name="Younger brothers of All Blacks named in under-20s squad">{{cite web | url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11636651 | title=Younger brothers of All Blacks named in under-20s squad | work=New Zealand Herald | date = 10 May 2016 | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref name="Patelesio Tomkinson New Zealand Under 20 Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.allblacks.com/Player/U20/2413 | title=Patelesio Tomkinson New Zealand Under 20 Player Profile | work=All Blacks | accessdate=3 January 2017}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tomkinson, Sio}} Category:1996 births Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:Rugby union centres Category:Rugby union wings Category:Otago rugby union players Category:People educated at Otago Boys' High School Category:People educated at Trinity Catholic College, Dunedin Category:Living people Category:Highlanders (rugby union) players Category:Rugby union players from Dunedin Category:Dragons RFC players Category:Western Force players Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen