Tomkinson (18), a key member of the Otago Boys' High School First XV over the past three years, as well as the New Zealand schools team last month, is drawing interest from outside the region after impressing in the black jersey.
The midfielder won the MVP award after starring in New Zealand's 34-24 win over the Australian schools side last month, an award previously won by Jeff Wilson, Carlos Spencer, Victor Vito and Ardie Savea.
Tomkinson scored the match-sealing try after running a smart line and finishing off a perfectly executed set-piece move.
After leaving Kavanagh College for Otago Boys' at the start of 2011, Tomkinson played 64 straight games for the first XV, scoring more than 450 points, which is believed to be a school record.
The Otago Daily Times understands Tomkinson will meet player agent Warren Alcock next week to discuss potential deals and possibly sign a contract.
The Canterbury Rugby Football Union could not be reached for comment yesterday, but it is believed to be interested in luring Tomkinson to the garden city, much like Richie McCaw in 1999.
Fresh off a dismal season in the ITM Cup second division, Otago could do with keeping arguably the best player to come out of a local school in the past decade.
While there is no guarantee Tomkinson would flourish at the next level, Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin believes he has a good head on his shoulders, and expected interest from outside Otago after he played well for New Zealand schools.
Tomkinson is not the first Otago Boys' player to attract interest from other unions and other sports before leaving school.
In 2011, then first XV captain Michael Collins was widely touted as a future star. Waikato and the NRL's Melbourne Storm were interested in signing him, but he stayed in Dunedin and has been a member of the Otago team in the past three years.
-by Robert Van Royen
