Canberra’s Bailey Simonsson wants Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad’s fullback jersey
Canberra’s rising outside back Bailey Simonsson has his eye on a permanent switch to fullback. There’s just one thing in his way – teammate Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
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Bailey Simonsson has grown from a sporting prodigy into Ricky Stuart’s back five ‘Mr Fix It’ at Canberra but the rising outside back has his eye on a permanent switch to fullback.
There is one immediate obstacle in his way – fellow New Zealand international Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.
“I do want to play fullback, 100 per cent. That’s my favourite spot to play but Charnze didn’t go too badly there last year did he? So he’s got that spot locked down at the moment, credit to him. I’m just loving playing with him whether it’s at fullback or wing. But long term I’d like to be fullback but I’m still learning that role and working on my skills there too,” Simonsson told The Daily Telegraph.
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Unable to crack a starting spot at the Warriors, Nicoll-Klokstad arrived in Canberra on a two-year deal in February 2019.
But after a breakout season in the No.1 jumper the club extended his contract until the end of season 2023. Simonsson, who has played on both the right and left edge and off the bench, also re-signed until the end of 2023 and it’s a decision that has pit him directly against Nicoll-Klokstad in for the fullback spot.
Simonsson, the son of former All Black and North Sydney Bears utility, Paul, revealed he has spent some time training at fullback during the pre-season.
But the departure of flyer Jordan Rapana and the impending exit of centre Joey Leilua means Simonsson will partner skipper Croker on the left edge.
“I’ve been training in a few different spots and I have done a lot of reps outside of Jarrod too on that left edge, which has been good. Obviously I played most of my footy there last year on the left side and I’m really comfortable playing outside of him. But I’m not too sure what the coach will go with for in round one in terms of team dynamics. I just want to work hard and hopefully I’m there in round one,” he said.
With only 21 NRL games under his belt after making his debut against the Gold Coast Titans last year, Simonsson is content – for now – with a place on the edge.
The Harbord United Devils junior was a sporting prodigy growing up in the northern beaches of Sydney and excelled at every sport he played including athletics and surf lifesaving.
In his later teens, Simonsson spent two years in New Zealand playing Rugby 7’s and hasn’t ruled out a return to union in the future.
“For the next four years I’m at the Raiders but look I enjoy playing rugby too. At the moment, I wouldn’t say I would go back to union but you never say never because you never know what is going to happen in professional sports. I’m loving the Raiders but who knows what could happen, it’s a funny thing sport,” he said.
Simonsson was full of praise for new teammate Curtis Scott and the invaluable inside knowledge on Melbourne’s inner workings that the former Storm centre has brought with him to the nation’s capital.
“He’s a real good person off the field and that’s the most important thing. It almost feels like he’s been here for ages. He’s won a comp at the Storm at a young age and played a lot of first grade and he’s been a good addition to the group. He’s also helped a lot in bringing some of his knowledge of the Storm system. He’s always throwing around different ideas, it’s been good having a different perspective on things,” he said.