Tariq Sims, a forward for the New South Wales State of Origin team, has decided to quit the NRL for the Super League, following in the footsteps of his brothers.
The second row for Melbourne Storm, age 33, has signed a two-year contract with Catalans Dragons beginning in 2024. While younger brother Korbin played for Hull KR in 2021 and his last season before injury forced his retirement, older brother Ashton was a standout with Warrington from 2015 to 2017 before relocating to Toronto. Following Melbourne’s play-off elimination against Penrith last weekend, Fijian international Tariq, who has also played for North Queensland, St. George Illawarra, and Newcastle Knights, has frequently mentioned switching teams in tournaments.
He declared: “I’m eager to contribute my knowledge and everything I’ve discovered over the previous 13 years in the NRL to the squad. Being at the Catalans would, in my opinion, fulfil my drive to compete and push myself both on and off the pitch. Although it will be a new chapter for my family and I, we are eager to begin it.
Sims has appeared in 236 NRL games since 2011, scoring 44 tries in 13 seasons at the top level. This season, he featured in 15 NRL games for the Storm. At the 2013 World Cup, he played for Fiji and advanced to the semifinals. Between 2018 and 2022, he was chosen six times by New South Wales, winning three matches for the Blues.
Sims, who can also play prop, will be a vital addition for Catalans as Matt Whitley is expected to join St Helens in 2024. “We are really pleased to add someone of Tariq’s quality and experience to our team,” Dragons manager Steve McNamara said.
“His versatility as a player will expand our selection possibilities, and he will also fill a leadership gap created by some of our players’ impending retirement. We are excited to welcome him and his family to Perpignan since it was clear from the beginning of our talk that he was eager to join the Dragons and succeed.
In his 2023 top-50 players list for The Daily Telegraph, veteran writer Phil Rothfield vehemently defended his choice to exclude Dragons star Ben Hunt, claiming the halfback hasn’t ‘done anything this year’.
It is definitely accurate to state that Hunt’s off-field turmoil this season and his request for an early release from the Dragons have garnered more media attention than his on-field accomplishments.
Nevertheless, most people would concur that Hunt had a respectable year while playing for a terrible club team. He also helped the Maroons defeat the Blues 2-1 in State of Origin.
