Brad Fittler selects Tariq Sims for Origin III, Matt Prior dropped from squad
TARIQ Sims’ gruelling road to a place he has long been destined for, but feared he would never arrive, is more than an Origin story. It’s a story about reality and life.
TARIQ Sims’ gruelling road to a place he has long been destined for, but feared he would never arrive, is more than an Origin story.
It’s a story about reality and life.
It’s to tell your confused teenage son or daughter, who feel they’re losing touch of their own dream.
It’s about guts, setbacks, pain, excruciating pain and nothing remaining but perseverance in spite of a shattered leg and a broken heart.
On Monday Sims was named to make his NSW Origin debut from the bench against Queensland in the last match of the series next week in Brisbane.
You got the sense that if Brad Fittler hadn’t broken the news to Sims while he was on stage in front of 250 school kids at ANZ Stadium, the Dragons enforcer would’ve crumbled in tears.
“It’s been an emotional journey,’’ the 28-year-old said.
“There have been a few days when I thought this was it and I probably should change jobs.
“But my desire to play rugby league in the NRL was too strong.
“My passion to play for the Blues and represent Australia down the track, that has always been a huge passion of mine.
“So come Wednesday week, I have an opportunity to fulfil one of those dreams.’’
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The reality is, Sims should’ve been a Blue eight years ago.
In 2012, former NSW coach Ricky Stuart phoned Sims — formerly with the Cowboys — only an hour before he took the field against Penrith in Townsville.
“I want you in camp after this game — congratulations, you’re our 18th man,’’ Stuart said.
However, in the second-half Sims slammed into current Panthers assistant Cameron Ciraldo.
Sims’ entire body went cold and limp.
His tibia and fibula were broken, the same two bones that snapped nine months earlier in a match against Cronulla.
Sims admitted he considered quitting rugby league to pursue a finishing and bindering apprenticeship.
“I was pretty close (to quitting),’’ Sims said. “I was only 21 when I first broke my leg.
“You can imagine how mentally immature I would have been towards a job where you get paid to run into other people and you get tackled around your legs every run.
“Just coming back from that, it was tough.
“Then to do it a second time I remember, I was in a really bad way.
“I have had some really good luck with family and friends, and coaching staff, to stick by me and help me through those darks days and though those days where I really didn’t want to train, but had to train.
“I am incredibly proud of myself and very thankful for everyone that helped me on my journey.’’
There was a feeling too, that Sims had waited his whole life to land a perfectly-timed brother-to-brother jab.
Sims’ brother Ashton, now playing with the Toronto Wolfpack, caused controversy several years ago by declaring his allegiance to Queensland despite being born in Gerringong on the south coach of NSW.
Sims was asked if he was ready to embrace the hate between NSW and Queensland?
“I’ve embraced it my whole life. My brother is a so-called Queenslander,’’ Sims smiled.
Proving his undeniable worth both in the middle of the field and the left-edge this year for St George-Illawarra, Sims said he didn’t care where or how Fittler used him on Wednesday night.
“In the first and second game I was 18th man so at training, I was bouncing between the back row and the middle,’’ Sims said.
“I made sure I knew both roles that I will need to know now.
“But whether I get put on the edge or in the middle, I will be ready to rock and roll.’’
NSW TEAM
1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
3. Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
4. James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
6. James Maloney (Penrith Panthers)
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
8. David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
10. Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
11. Boyd Cordner (c) (Sydney Roosters)
12. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
13. Jack De Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
14. Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
15. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
16. Angus Crichton (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
17. Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)
18. Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)
Shadow players:
• Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)
• Matt Prior (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Originally published as Brad Fittler selects Tariq Sims for Origin III, Matt Prior dropped from squad