Ipswich SHS pair Chris Simpson and Tarell Indich thrive in Ipswich

Ipswich SHS pair Chris Simpson and Tarell Indich love their life in the big smoke of Ipswich, but there is one thing both really miss from their home town of Cherbourg. Revealed here.

Tarell Indich and Chris Simpson of Ipswich SHS. Picture, John Gass

While Cherbourg boys Chris Simpson and Tarell Indich love their adopted life in the Ipswich SHS community, nothing can compensate for one element of living in the big smoke - a delicacy or two from their hometown.

Simpson loves damper and porcupine cooked over an open fire, while Indich will eat dew or catfish from the local creek served with damper any day of the week.

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Simpson’s aunty, whom they live with in Ipswich, does her best to satisfy the pair’s appetite with her household specialities of curry chicken or spaghetti bolognese.

And while both boys love those meals, there is something special about the tucker from Cherbourg, 270km north west of Brisbane.

“It (porcupine) tastes like chicken but needs a lot of salt,’’ Simpson smiled.

Tarell Indich and Chris Simpson of Ipswich SHS. Picture, John Gass

Both boys look forward to eating the meals when they return to rugby league mad Cherbourg during the school holidays, but in the meantime aunty’s cooking in Ipswich does a grouse job in the kitchen beating off any home sickness.

Both Simpson and Indich have played a huge part in Ipswich SHS’s unbeaten run entering today’s quarterfinals at Bishop Park.

Simpson has played right centre and Indich right second rower,  and the pair’s instinctive combination has been to the fore.

Tarell Indich and Chris Simpson of Ipswich SHS. Picture, John Gass

They first played alongside each other as children for South Burnett Eagles and then the Cherbourg Eagles, and that combination is working wonders for Ipswich SHS, who confront Redcliffe SHS.

“My footy is a lot better than last year and I feel that is because I have more of a bond with the boys in class,’’ Simpson said.

Both were proud to be representing the Cherbourg community in the Langer Trophy and were well aware of the tiny community’s proud record in producing elite league talent like Steve Renouf, Chris Sandow, Selwyn Cobbo and co who all hail from the district.

“Seeing all the uncles and cousins who made rep teams, and seeing Selwyn Cobbo making NRL, is fantastic,’’ said Simpson

Both boys said moving to Ipswich SHS from the country had also benefited their education and life because “the coaches help you with life outside of footy as well’’.

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Originally published as Ipswich SHS pair Chris Simpson and Tarell Indich thrive in Ipswich