Banned NRL star Tim Simona approached to play rugby union for West Harbour in the Shute Shield
WHAT’S THE BUZZ: Banned former Wests Tigers NRL star Tim Simona has been approached to play club rugby union.
NRL
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BANNED NRL star Tim Simona has been approached to play rugby union for West Harbour in the Shute Shield this year.
West Harbour president Geoff Threlfo has confirmed he approached Simona’s agent Isaac Moses last week about the former Wests Tigers star joining the club.
“We’ve said to Isaac that while his player has done some disappointing things, we’d be interested in offering him a game of rugby,” Threlfo said.
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“He wouldn’t be paid — it’s just an opportunity to play football.
“We’d have to get it cleared by the Sydney rugby union but everyone deserves a second chance.
“If Tim’s serious about rugby, we’re coached by Todd Louden, who’s won a Super 15’s comp with the Bulls and coached the Waratahs and the Rebels. Todd would like to mentor him.”
Sydney rugby union president David Begg says his board will discuss the issue tomorrow night.
The Shute Shield starts next weekend with Wests Harbour playing Randwick in the opening round.
“Tim’s registration would need to be approved,” Begg told the Sunday Telegraph.
“We’ll deal with it on Monday night at our board meeting.”
Simona has also had interest from two rugby clubs in France since being banned indefinitely by the NRL for betting on games and being involved in a charity scam with Wests Tigers jerseys.
However he wants to remain in Sydney for at least the rest of this year to work on his rehabilitation.
Previously the Australian Rugby Union has respected and acknowledged suspensions in other footy codes.
In this case however the Sydney Rugby Union is its own identity and can register players without the approval of ARU chief Bill Pulver.
Last week the SRU did their own lucrative TV deal for the Shute Shield with entrepreneur Nick Fordham, bypassing the ARU.
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