The value of having a representative player like Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues backrower Tariq Sims, particularly for younger teammates, would be priceless for any NRL club, according to True Blue Steve Menzies.
Sims, 31, finds himself on the lookout for a new club after St George Illawarra Dragons told him they were heading in a different direction.
Along with 204 NRL games Sims has played five Tests for Fiji and five Origins for NSW, including all three games for the team that won the 2021 series 2-1.
The push from the Dragons to move Sims along was something Menzies found hard to fathom as he spoke of the backrower’s talents on Behind Blues Eyes for nswrl.com.au.
“It surprised me because Tariq Sims’ season was one of the best I’ve ever seen him play,” Menzies said.
“You need senior guys, who have played rep football, to lead your team. It’s all about the value put on a player I suppose.
“When you buy a player (like him) it’s not for 80 minutes on a football field, you’re buying them for the off-field stuff like leadership for the kids every day at training – ‘When do I turn up? How do I train? What’s my attitude?’
“All these subtle factors, in a big group of players, they will look at these Origin guys, these rep players on how you do things.
“It’s the pre-season stuff, the culture, the attitude, the training… if you want a good role model then Tariq is it.”
