State of Origin III: Blues forward Tariq Sims in danger of missing decider after dangerous contact charge

NSW will be on the lookout for a fresh forward bench option for the State of Origin decider next month if Tariq Sims can’t beat a grade 2 dangerous tackle charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday.

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It took Tariq Sims 12 months to re-claim his NSW Origin jersey.

But after just 25 minutes back in blue, the St George Illawarra enforcer is set to be ruled out of the do-or-die Origin III in Sydney after being charged by the NRL match review committee.

Sims is facing between two to three weeks on the sideline after being slugged with a grade two dangerous contact charge for his hit on North Queensland and Queensland Origin playmaker Michael Morgan on Friday night.

Sims would need to successfully fight the charge at the judiciary on Tuesday to be any chance of taking his spot on the NSW bench.

While Morgan was forced from the field with a HIA and did not return, the referees took no action on-field against Sims.

Sims’ late hit on Michael Morgan could be costly for NSW. Picture: Fox Sports

Former NSW and Queensland Origin players Ryan Girdler and Wendell Sailor described the charge as “harsh” and “excessive” on Triple M radio.

“He shouldn’t miss an Origin match for that,’’ Sailor said. “He’s got to go and fight it.’’

The incident also led to Dragons coach Paul McGregor trading barbs with Cowboys coach Paul Green.

Green said Sims’ hit was “late and high” which resulted in McGregor firing back at the North Queensland coach.

“He’s got a lot to say … am I comfortable with the tackle? Absolutely, how can you stop that?,’’ McGregor said.

“It was looked at, there was a scrum packed, move on, zip his (Green) mouth.’’

At least the Blues have the perfect replacement for Sims. Image: Paul Kane/Getty Images

The potential suspension of Sims would impact NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler’s interchange bench given that the Dragons forward can play as both an edge and middle forward.

However, the omission of Sims would open the door for the direct return of Newcastle prop and Origin I starting forward for NSW, David Klemmer.

Klemmer made his return from a broken wrist for the Knights on Saturday and given his superb effort in game one, would feel hard done by if he was overlooked by the NSW hierarchy for Origin III.

Both NSW and Queensland will name their squad’s for the July 10 series decider at ANZ Stadium on Monday morning.

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Injured Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary is expected to be named in Fittler’s squad despite being considered next to no chance of playing immediately after the Blues’ thumping game two win in Perth.

It was feared Cleary had suffered a syndesmosis foot injury, but Panthers physiotherapist Krystal Sharp said the Blues’ No.7 had suffered a “high grade lateral ankle sprain” with his focus on reducing swelling around his ankle joint.

It’s expected that Cleary will attempt to run for the first time over the next 24-hours.

“I just spoke to our Penrith physio and she’s feeling quietly confident about Nathan’s chances,” Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander told Triple M.

“The swelling has improved. He’s diligent in his rehab and he will give himself the best chance.

“She’s expecting that he will be able to run by Tuesday and will take it from there.

“I said ‘what’s your gut feel?’ And she said ‘I think he could get there’.

“So it all depends on how he is on Tuesday and we’ll take it from there. But he’s a chance, Nathan.”