NSW born Knights prop Korbin Sims says he has no passion for the Blues

NEW dad Korbin Sims will be hoping to force his way into the all-conquering Queensland side in 2016, even though the young prop was born and bred in NSW.

KNIGHTS

LIFE was good for Korbin Sims in 2015 with his inclusion in the Maroons Origin squad, a regular starting role up front for the Knights, then the birth of his little boy, Taavi.

But this year could get even better for the young Newcastle prop if he can force his way into the all-conquering Queensland side.

Not bad for a kid who was born and bred in Gerringong, a notorious “Queensland foothold’’. That’s right, Gerringong, the NSW coastal town no less than 975km south of the Tweed, and famous for giving us Parramatta sharpshooter and NSW centre Mick Cronin.

Sims, 24, spent Christmas with little Taavi, his partner, and his older brother, Knights forwards and proud New South Welshmen Tariq — but his love affair with those dreaded Maroons was kept hush.

For the record, Sims is only eligible for our pesky northern neighbours because he played his first representative game up there.

“It’s almost taboo,’’ Sims told The Daily Telegraph this week.

Knights player Korbin Sims and Partner Tarin Moke with Baby Taavi at their Newcastle Home

“We never speak about it.

“I made my decision very early on, people have tried to persuade me to jump back over, but I have no passion to play for NSW. It’s all Queensland for me, it’s been Queensland for a long time for me now, and spending time around the squad last year has only fuelled the fire for me to become a better player.

“I wouldn’t be persuaded to go back to NSW _ ever.’’

Sims was given the chance to train with the Maroons ahead of Origin II in Melbourne, and that week in training camp clearly rubbed off on him as he became one of the Knights’ few consistent performers. He relished the starting role along side fellow prop Kade Snowden.

While the Knights are not expected to push for the NRL title this year, they could have up to three Origin representatives with Sims, NSW incumbent halfback Trent Hodkinson and Maroons’ flyer Dane Gagai.

Considering Queensland forwards Matt Scott, Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday are all 30, and Corey Parker, 33, Sims and the likes of Dylan Napa are waiting in the Maroons’ wings.

Sims, who posed for The Daily Telegraph with Taavi, who was born on November 24, said his main priority was getting the job done for the Knights.

“My first priority is always the Knights, and if we start well as a team, that means I’m doing a good job, and if I can start playing consistently well, that’s when the (Origin) selectors start looking at you,’’ Sims said.

Originally published as NSW born Knights prop Korbin Sims says he has no passion for the Blues