Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released

[Elderslie_Tiger]

This is an article on Simpkins from October 2019

TUKIMIHIA SIMPKINS FOR Kiwi monster Tuki Simpkins, it is a matter of when, not if.

The towering backrower has been in the Cowboys sights for a number of years, with the club securing him to a junior contract at least three years ago.

He has remained in New Zealand, rising through the ranks of schoolboy rugby, but will make his way across the ditch next month as that contract becomes a top-30 roster spot.

Cowboys’ hierarchy will not rush the 17-year-old man mountain, as he has only played a handful of rugby league games over the past three years. But his natural ability, size and strength suggest he will take to the game like a duck to water.

It may be a while before we see Simpkins in action, but expect him to be a long term lock in for the Cowboys.

 

[sleeve]

Ronny theBody Palmer the girls called him over 40yrs ago.Good to see him still going strong'.

 

[happy_tiger]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

 

[sleeve]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

To be expected i suppose when you look at the comments about how little game time he has had.But i'm a big believer in speed,size,and attitude,and this kid appears to have all 3. Hope he kills it.

 

[Tiger5150]

I havnt heard of him, has he played much first grade?

Hartigan is really going chips in on guys who impressed at school boy level isn’t he.

What do you want him to do ? Sign B plus to C average guys , and continue treading water like we have for 10 years ? Which is exactly what we’ve been doing . And I dont want to hear we only ever sign plodders , because if that were true , we’d come last every year . We sign average players who give average performance for an average result in 9th.
We need guys who could be superstars , and many have signed with us now .
This Simpkins has been on the youth radar for a very long time . The fact NQ lost him is a huge blow . From what I’d read last year he was considered to be the one they were going to build thier pack around for the future . Looks like that will be us now .
This is the recruitment advantage we have . Not in established first graders , but kids who want to become the next big thing . Especially forwards .

Even as far back as Souths , people forget Sutton was a below average number 6 before Madge got there. Most forwards went up a gear underneath him . And at the tigers it’s been no exception . People see that , if the results on the field haven’t matched some individual personal improvements.

I am a fan of this strategy over the previous one - signing former rep players past their prime - but fear it won’t work unless we add in some quality NRL players to bring them along. I really hope we nail these last 3 spots in the squad. We have money and cap space, I see no excuses now.

This kid is a big one . We and many other teams have chased him for a year or 2 . I’m actually surprised we got him. This is a Melbourne storm type signing , not to throw hyperbole out there .

Strange were only hearing about him now... Thought we would've been hearing about him for the last year or two

I did hear this whisper maybe 6 months ago but then it dropped off

 

[TYGA]

Nice work by the Tigers. These are the types of signings we generally get right. Missing out on marquee names is a blessing in disguise for us.

 

[JC99]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

Sounds like they’re dirty about losing him 😂 he’s very raw by the sounds of it but he’s only 19 and here for 3 seasons so plenty of time to develop. Look at Katoa for warriors he’s barely played league and did well for that at second row

 

[balmain boy]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

And this is based on what? He's only played a couple of games. And only once last year i think.

The main difference is the cardio fitness required. A suitable training program can get him up to speed in no time. I imagine it would have been tougher for him when he was younger and still at school, playing both sports, but in a professional full time training environment he can get his body right.

 

[Hangonaminute]

This kid will struggle to go 7 mins in the NRL at this stage of his development.
I don't expect to see him for 3 yrs

I think you’ll be surprised. Will definitely play first grade this year.

How much money have you got to lose?

3 years! You’re out of your mind.

I’ll flip it on you and say I’d be happy to bet whatever you’d like that he’ll debut within 3 years!

Ok I may have stretched it by saying 3 years, but I'm not expecting to see him until midway through next season at the very very earliest.

That's if he even makes the NRL at all, and I give him about a 35% chance of that.
Don't get too excited this kid has got a long way to go, I don't care how big his frame is he's gotta learn the game yet and then get to the level of an NRL player, there's no guarantee that even happens.

 

[Newtown]

Forummers please have some faith in our Madge do you think he would sign a nuffie unless he had prior knowlege of Simpkins ability he's team building with new recruits and the shedding of others has been breathtaking and there's more to come

Total faith in Madge, it’s the clubs ability to attract premium players is still the issue.

What goes first egg or chicken?

 

[happy_tiger]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

Sounds like they’re dirty about losing him ? he’s very raw by the sounds of it but he’s only 19 and here for 3 seasons so plenty of time to develop. Look at Katoa for warriors he’s barely played league and did well for that at second row

I reckon my defence at 51 would hold up better than Bradley's ...just letting you know what being said in Cowboys country

 

[Harvey]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

Sounds like they’re dirty about losing him ? he’s very raw by the sounds of it but he’s only 19 and here for 3 seasons so plenty of time to develop. Look at Katoa for warriors he’s barely played league and did well for that at second row

I reckon my defence at 51 would hold up better than Bradley's ...just letting you know what being said in Cowboys country

Bradley or Simpkins? The Cowboys have only had Bradley for 2 days, if they have those concerns why would they sign him?

 

[happy_tiger]

Asked another Cowboy maniac about Tuki ...he said he is struggling with the switch from union to league

Sounds like they’re dirty about losing him ? he’s very raw by the sounds of it but he’s only 19 and here for 3 seasons so plenty of time to develop. Look at Katoa for warriors he’s barely played league and did well for that at second row

I reckon my defence at 51 would hold up better than Bradley's ...just letting you know what being said in Cowboys country

Bradley or Simpkins? The Cowboys have only had Bradley for 2 days, if they have those concerns why would they sign him?

Bradley ......

 

[ALX22]

The signing of James Tamou will be instrumental in the continuing development of Tuki. The recent signings of more NZ juniors will also be beneficial. Let's hope for no disrupted Jersey Flegg or NSW Cup this year.

 

[rozelle_rudy]

Has Simpkins ever played League?
From what I've gathered, Cowboys recruited him from NZ Union a year ago. Covid put an end to Qld Cup so he didn't get to play in 2020..

 

[ALX22]

Has Simpkins ever played League?
From what I've gathered, Cowboys recruited him from NZ Union a year ago. Covid put an end to Qld Cup so he didn't get to play in 2020..

Did make the NZ U18 Residents side for league a few years back. I'm sure there is footage of the game out there?

 

[Tiger19]


Top row, third from left is Tuki Simpkins' father, Rob.

Never played first grade but was part of our squad in 2004 :+1:

 

[happy_tiger]


Top row, third from left is Tuki Simpkins' father, Rob.

Never played first grade but was part of our squad in 2004 :+1:

Hope he didn't catch a heartlige injury/ virus from Nick Graham

Any news on how Tuki is progressing ??

 

[watersider]


Top row, third from left is Tuki Simpkins' father, Rob.

Never played first grade but was part of our squad in 2004 :+1:

Did anyone ever drink a 'herbal world'?

 

[cochise]


Top row, third from left is Tuki Simpkins' father, Rob.

Never played first grade but was part of our squad in 2004 :+1:

Did anyone ever drink a 'herbal world'?

I tried some freebies, they tasted terrible.

Wokka noodles were ok