Tukimihia Simpkins #248

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Too soon to make a call on Tuki. He was brought in 2 years before he was ready, both in terms of skill and physicality. Seyfarth was another one who didn't look good enough, but that was only because he lacked size and strength. Now he looks the goods.

The period we're in now reminds me of Newcastle in 2016/17, although we're not that bad. They blooded kids way before they were ready. Those guys got smashed every week. But they got to learn how bad it could get, and that there is light on the other side. Saifiti bros were shadows of the players they are now.

Hell, even Payne Haas, probably the #2 front rower at the moment (after James Fisher-Harris), got monstered in his first season in the NRL (played 3 games, 15-20 minutes each off the bench, then got injured). Klemmer smashed him badly. The next season he came out and had one of the great rookie seasons. Probably the second best after Tim Smith in 2005.

Anyway, my point is that young players 21 years or younger can often look terrible when they are starting their first grade careers. It's no indicator of what type of player they'll be. Who would have thought that Tim Smith in 2005 would be a blip in rugby league history, while Cooper Cronk would go on to be one of the greatest players of all time. No one could have seen that coming.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

not sure about tuki simpkins think the 2 cowboys second rowers show more than him. Prepared to call it early don't think he will make it
hope I'm wrong

Lol, what a ridiculously stupid thing to say.

You're also comparing him to second rowers when he's a prop/lock. Pathetic

no you are right he will be an imortal

 

[crazycat]

Not writing the kid off at all but my unpopular opinion is he isn't ready for first grade yet. When he came on they started rolling us up the middle.
Seems to get caught out behind the PTB way to much

Needs to work on tackling style for mine

Then are we the right place for him?
2021 I would say no. I havent seen us develop people strongly.

Now with Nathan Cayless in charge of defense we may be able to coach him right.

 

[Tim Sheens]

He's looking pretty lean at the moment. Will be interesting to see what position they develop him in, lock or second row

Hope he goes good. Plenty of time left for him to develop

Was hoping that he was going to be a backrower for us, but those thoughts didn't last long once I watched him in the top grade. Unless he has a lot of untapped speed and lateral movement to unlock, Tuki will be a middle and maybe not even at lock.

Love a player with a natural offload either way.

 

[batboy]

He's looking pretty lean at the moment. Will be interesting to see what position they develop him in, lock or second row

Hope he goes good. Plenty of time left for him to develop

Was hoping that he was going to be a backrower for us, but those thoughts didn't last long once I watched him in the top grade. Unless he has a lot of untapped speed and lateral movement to unlock, Tuki will be a middle and maybe not even at lock.

Love a player with a natural offload either way.

The only reason he’s throwing to ball to someone else is because he has absolutely no idea what to do with it himself

 

[TigerJunior4]

The key to Tuki is patience. He hasn’t really played a lot of league coming from a Union background so he’s still quite raw and probably made his first grade debut earlier than anticipated. He’ll be much better in 2022 with more experience in State Cup and first grade and having the benefit of physically maturing.

I think he showed glimpses of promise in first grade. He has a great offload and I think he had a better first year than Seyfarth did in 2020. Hopefully there’ll be more improvement in 2022.

 

[colinbh]

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2021/12/27/20-stars-for-2022--tuki-simpkins/

Tom Gibbs
Timestamp
Mon 27 Dec 2021, 10:31 AM
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Even before making his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in Round 18 of the 2021 season, Tuki Simpkins was already earmarked as a future first grader.

After dominating the middle of the park on just about every occasion for the top-two Western Suburbs Magpies team in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, it was only a matter of time before Tigers coach Michael Maguire handed him an NRL jersey.

When Simpkins made the switch from rugby union with a trip across the Tasman from his Rotorua hometown, Maguire showed early interest in the Kiwi forward who was part of the North Queensland Cowboys pathways system at the time.

Over a Zoom call with ‘Madge’, 19-year-old Simpkins decided to move to Sydney where he soon earned a start in the NSW Cup.

From 12 NSW Cup matches in 2021, Simpkins scored a try, had eight tackle busts and threw 22 offloads, amassing an average 112.3 running metres, 46.6 post-contact metres, and 32 tackles per game.

Ultimately going on to make his first NRL appearance, Simpkins’ 29-minute impact off the bench was something the Wests Tigers needed, coming away with a comfortable 42-24 victory over the Brisbane Broncos – their first win in four games.

Having now chalked up five NRL matches to date – all from the interchange – as he continues preparation for next season, Simpkins will no doubt be eyeing off more achievements in 2022.

Chief among those will be earning a spot in Maguire’s starting forward pack.

He is a future star alright.

 

[Newtown]

https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2021/12/27/20-stars-for-2022--tuki-simpkins/

Tom Gibbs
Timestamp
Mon 27 Dec 2021, 10:31 AM
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Even before making his NRL debut with the Wests Tigers in Round 18 of the 2021 season, Tuki Simpkins was already earmarked as a future first grader.

After dominating the middle of the park on just about every occasion for the top-two Western Suburbs Magpies team in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, it was only a matter of time before Tigers coach Michael Maguire handed him an NRL jersey.

When Simpkins made the switch from rugby union with a trip across the Tasman from his Rotorua hometown, Maguire showed early interest in the Kiwi forward who was part of the North Queensland Cowboys pathways system at the time.

Over a Zoom call with ‘Madge’, 19-year-old Simpkins decided to move to Sydney where he soon earned a start in the NSW Cup.

From 12 NSW Cup matches in 2021, Simpkins scored a try, had eight tackle busts and threw 22 offloads, amassing an average 112.3 running metres, 46.6 post-contact metres, and 32 tackles per game.

Ultimately going on to make his first NRL appearance, Simpkins’ 29-minute impact off the bench was something the Wests Tigers needed, coming away with a comfortable 42-24 victory over the Brisbane Broncos – their first win in four games.

Having now chalked up five NRL matches to date – all from the interchange – as he continues preparation for next season, Simpkins will no doubt be eyeing off more achievements in 2022.

Chief among those will be earning a spot in Maguire’s starting forward pack.

He is a future star alright.

Tullagi is also looking good for first grade.

 

[balmain boy]

not sure about tuki simpkins think the 2 cowboys second rowers show more than him. Prepared to call it early don't think he will make it
hope I'm wrong

Lol, what a ridiculously stupid thing to say.

You're also comparing him to second rowers when he's a prop/lock. Pathetic

no you are right he will be an imortal

Who said that?

I simply said you're comparing him with players in different positions, and he's also still eligible for Flegg and wouldn't have even played if we had a half decent squad...

 

[KingRobbie]

***THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD***
**Tigers player investigated after fleeing the scene of an accident**
**Michael Chammas**
**January 24, 2022 — 4.08pm**

Wests Tigers forward Tuki Simpkins will front police for questioning after turning himself in for fleeing the scene of an accident while driving without a licence on Sunday morning.

Simpkins was driving a vehicle with multiple passengers in the car when he mounted the kerb and crashed into a fence in the early hours of Sunday. It’s believed the passengers are members of the Tigers’ Jersey Flegg squad.

Simpkins was not under the influence of alcohol and later told police that he was driving his teammates to McDonald’s for an early morning meal when he lost control of the vehicle.

Police will today interview the 20-year-old after he later turned himself in when officers questioned the owner of the vehicle - Simpkins’ roommate - about the incident a few hours later.

The NRL confirmed that the Wests Tigers had reported the matter to the Integrity Unit and are allowing NSW Police to deal with the incident.

Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe also confirmed the club was dealing with the players but would not delve into the matter when contacted for comment.

“It’s a police matter and the club will make no further comment at this stage,” Pascoe told the Herald on Monday afternoon.

Simpkins, who hails from Rotorua in New Zealand, played five NRL games for the Tigers after making his first grade debut in 2021 and is considered one of the brightest young prospects at the club.

Simpkins joined the Wests Tigers from the North Queensland Cowboys at the start of the 2020 season after agreeing to a three-year deal. He still has two seasons remaining on his contract with the club.

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

this just gets better for our depth
far out

 

[AdelaideTiger]

What's up with all these blokes not having licences?

 

[Nathser]

At least he wasn't drunk - Bloke just can't drive

 

[GNR4LIFE]

At least he wasn't drunk - Bloke just can't drive

Still a goose

 

[Nathser]

At least he wasn't drunk - Bloke just can't drive


Still a goose

100%

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

At least he wasn't drunk - Bloke just can't drive


Still a goose

Agree

 

[LeichhardtTiger]

I am flabbergasted! Not sure what's worse - Driving without a licence in the early hours of the morning or going to Maccas at that time?

 

[Chicken_Faced_Killa]

What a fool. Clearly doesn’t take much to play NRL. Half of them don’t have licenses and still think they can drive.

 

[Elderslie_Tiger]

I am flabbergasted! Not sure what's worse - Driving without a licence in the early hours of the morning or going to Maccas at that time?

And having a bunch of younger team mates with him Tim needs to crack the whip

 

[paul wright]

Another moron who thinks you don't need a licence to drive.Inexcusable by any standard