Australian Rugby Union slams door on Tim Simona’s professional future in the code
TIM Simona will be barred from playing Shute Shield club rugby and does not have a future in the game in Australia.
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TIM Simona will be barred from playing Shute Shield club rugby and does not have a future in the game in Australia after it was determined the NRL’s indefinite ban would extend to Sydney club rugby.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed West Harbour has offered Simona a chance to play club rugby this season; just weeks after the controversial ex-Tigers centre was banned for betting on games and rival players.
The Sydney Rugby Union were set to discuss Simona’s registration at a board meeting on Monday night but it has been determined by the NSWRU - who are the parent body of the SRU - that the indefinite ban handed down by the NRL would apply to Simona even playing amateur rugby in Sydney.
The ARU has a policy of observing disciplinary measures from other sports and on several occasions have prevented rugby league players from seeking a lifeline in rugby union.
“Australian Rugby’s policy is to respect and recognise disciplinary action taken by other sports,” an ARU spokesman said.
The ARU refused to allow Ben Barba to play for Toulon in the Brisbane Tens in February under the same policy, due to his 12-match NRL ban for cocaine use.
Apart from the ARU the five franchises have also made it clear to other NRL bad boys, whether serving bans or not, they’re not prepared to take them.
Some in rugby circles who believe offering Simona a second chance would be a decent thing to do, but most would be more comfortable with it being next season, not mere weeks after his shocking story was revealed.
NSWRU boss Andrew Hore confirmed the Waratahs would also observe the NRL’s ban.
“There are always going to be problems around young men with money in their pocket but by and large rugby has a good set of values, and it is an asset of the game. We need to protect that because that’s what you want to draw parents and kids towards the game,” Hore said.
Several sports betting firms take bets on club rugby but don’t offer exotic markets, only head-to-head results.
Originally published as Australian Rugby Union slams door on Tim Simona’s professional future in the code
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