After breaking his leg twice, Tariq Sims says he’s ready for the Origin arena

TARIQ Sims may be uncertain about his future at the Cowboys, but has no doubt he’s ready for Origin after recovering from a twice broken leg.

DON’T suggest to Tariq Sims that the City-Country clash means little.

Sims may be uncertain about his future at the Cowboys, but is in no doubt he’s ready for the Origin arena after fighting back from the trauma of breaking his leg twice.

Now, the NSW Country forward can erase any doubts about his Origin bona fides by dominating his City counterparts at Apex Oval in Dubbo.

News_Rich_Media: Andrew Fifita admits he faces a tough time proving he is worthy of retaining his NSW Blues jumper and will use this weekend's City v Country Origin clash to stake his claim.

With the Blues hit by an injury crisis, NSW coach Laurie Daley could do worse than hand Sims his maiden sky-blue jumper for Origin I at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

Forwards Trent Merrin, Glenn Stewart and Luke Lewis are all in doubt for the series opener, forcing Sims to play in the front-row for the first time in his NRL career.

CITY SIDE IN THE EYE OF THE TIGER

Critics of the City-Country concept have dismissed it as a meaningless affair with no influence on the composition of the NSW team, but Sims is daring to dream.

“I’m dying for it, I really want that NSW jumper,” he said.

News_Image_File: Tariq Sims believes he’s got what it takes to step up to State of Origin.

“I played all my under-20s in the front row for the Broncos so it’s not something that’s totally foreign to me, but I haven’t played prop at this level before.

“It’s going to be exciting and a challenge as well. I don’t mind a challenge, it will be good to learn and get this position under my belt as well as second row and lock.

“It’s just another string to my bow so hopefully the more positions I can play, the more it can help my Origin cause.

FIFITA FORM COMING BACK

“It’s unlucky for Trent Merrin but I’m going to take this opportunity and go as hard as I can.”

The 24-year-old has been banging on the NSW selection door for some time. Two years ago, Sims was installed as 18th man by then Blues coach Ricky Stuart, only to break his leg within hours of learning he would be added to the Blues squad.

News_Rich_Media: Aidan Sezer will miss the chance to impress NSW Origin selectors after being ruled out of the City squad with an ankle injury. He will be replaced by Bulldogs five-eighth Trent Hodkinson.

It was a heartbreaking close shave for Sims, who has spent the last 18 months finding confidence again in his “Terminator leg”. But after sidestepping any serious breakdowns last season, Sims has overcome his darkest days.

“Mentally there’s not a problem,” he said. “The way I play football, I throw everything out and you can’t hold back in the NRL.

“You can’t go into a game thinking I must protect my leg because you and the team suffer.

“My leg is feeling really good, it’s now pulling up great after games. It sucks what happened to me two years in a row, but I’ve put that behind me now.”

News_Rich_Media: Josh Dugan is the latest Dragons player to withdraw from the Country Origin side after suffering an ankle injury, with Titans fullback David Mead replacing him in the squad.

The Sunday Mail understands the Cowboys will release Sims at season’s end if the club can find a viable replacement. Sims has told the club he and his partner are struggling to settle in Townsville, but the forward is focused primarily on turning club form into a maiden Origin jumper.

“I don’t want to talk about that (his future at the Cowboys), I just want to play good football for the club,” he said.

“I’d love play for NSW but everyone wants to play Origin ... there’s no bigger stage.

“It would mean the world to me to be an Origin player but I have to take a few steps and this is the week for me to do it.”