Otago Boys' High School midfielder Sio Tomkinson added another honour to a remarkable schoolboy career on Saturday.
Tomkinson scored the final try and was given the Bronze Boot for most valuable player after the New Zealand Schools team beat Australian Schools in Porirua.
He and schoolmate Jonah Aoina, who joined the scrum off the bench, were part of a New Zealand side that built a commanding lead before letting the Australians back into the game.
In difficult conditions, halfback Sam Nock scored two tries to take New Zealand to a 24-3 lead early in the second half.
It seemed it was game over, but no-one told the Australians.
They roared back with three tries in the space of 10 minutes, hurting the home team with pace out wide.
At 27-24, it was anyone's game, but a lad from Otago Boys' would have the final say. Tomkinson crashed over for a late try between the posts that sealed the win.
Also on Saturday, the New Zealand Barbarians beat the Fijian Schools team 22-16. The Barbarians side included two Otago Boys' players, Matt Heffernan and Sione Asi, and was guided by Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin.
Schools rugby
The scores
New Zealand Schools 34
Sam Nock 2, Jonah Lowe, Sio Tomkinson tries; Jordan Trainor 4 con, 2 pen
Australian Schools 24
Izaia Perese, Connor Moroney, Gavin Luka tries; Harrison Goddard 3 con, pen
Halftime: New Zealand Schools 17-0.
