James Tomkinson will bring up 100 premier games for Harbour this weekend against University.
James originally started his rugby career outside of school at Dunedin Rugby Club (Sharks), foolishly he was placed in the colts B side and was deemed too small and got next to no game time.
That would soon come back to haunt them as the following year he made a change over to Harbour. Harbour was in a rebuilding stage and welcomed any forms of new players, James happened to be a select few that were targeted and he has been an instrumental player since.
Although it wasn’t always smooth sailing for JT he made his debut in 2014 but was playing second five, Hale T-Pole was one who transitioned him into the forwards again and turned him into one of the best quality loose forwards in the premier competition.
JT really got his crack in 2016 playing every game up until the semi final which was devastating and his ring in PJ Tili stood up in his place. Unfortunately loosing that semi final in the last play of the game.
2017 was another year which James shone his stats each week were something crazy like 36 tackles a game and 0 missed. This resulted in the team making the premier final and James being rewarded selection for the Otago B’s and was named Harbours best player for 2017.
2018 was again similar and James played almost every game, the 80 min man people would call him, who hits like a train and gained multiple man of the match performances.
2019 JT is still crunching players, he was named man of the match against Southern and Dunedin this year.
James would most definitely have cracked it to the professional by now, selectors seem to think his height has too much of a part to play…
On Saturday JT brings up his 100th game for the Hawks. He has been an absolute true legend and one that you can always count on when out on the field and a genuine good bastard.
Best of luck James and we know you have at least another 100 in you!
Get down to University Oval at 2:45pm to see the Hawks take on Varsity