SimsCity may crumble in Townsville amid North Queensland Cowboys turmoil

ASHTON Sims says he won’t be pressuring younger brother Tariq to stay in Townsville as the Cowboys fight to keep the NSW Origin hopeful.

THEY are considered a package deal at the Cowboys.

But Ashton Sims says he won’t be pressuring younger brother Tariq to stay in Townsville as the Cowboys fight to keep the NSW Origin hopeful.

The Sims family celebrated dual feats over the past 48 hours when Ashton was named captain of Fiji for Saturday night’s Four Nations qualifier against Samoa.

Tariq was named in the Country Origin side as he takes a step closer to making his Blues debut in the series opener on May 28.

But at North Queensland, the Sims clan face uncertain futures for varying reasons.

Tariq Sims and Ashton Sims at training.

While Ashton is off-contract at season’s end, Tariq is considering seeking a release from the Cowboys as he and his partner struggle to adjust to life in Townsville.

The Courier-Mail understands the Cowboys are resigned to losing Tariq, whose management has sounded out a number of Sydney-based clubs including the Dragons.

Ashton and Tariq arrived at the club in tandem from the Broncos in 2011, but the Fijian skipper says he is staying out of the delicate situation confronting his sibling.

“I’ve heard the rumours (about Tariq contemplating quitting), but I leave it to Tariq ... he’ll tell us when he’s ready,” Sims said.

“To be honest, I try and stay out of his personal business.

“You might not believe me but I haven’t really asked him about it. I worry about my business and if Tariq wants to do his thing, it’s up to him.”

Cowboys players and brothers Ashton and Tariq Sims.

A veteran of 211 NRL games, Ashton remains a free agent for 2015. And while he has put contract talks on hold to focus on his form off the interchange bench, Sims is keen to stay at the Cowboys.

“I’m leaving it to my manager but I will give it another couple of weeks,” he said.

“I’m off-contract this year but it would be nice to stay. My family is up here, I have three young kids and a wife who likes it up here so hopefully something works out.

“I am happy. I just absolutely love playing, I really take it as an honour to pull on the Cowboys jersey and I just try and take it to the limit every weekend. I love getting in there and mixing it with other big guys. I really enjoy that part of rugby league.

“I don’t play big minutes with Matty Scott and Jimmy Tamou in front of me, so when they go off I just try and go as hard as I can.”