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Wests Tigers sign Tukimihia Simpkins
Wests Tigers have today confirmed the signing of promising young forward Tukimihia Simpkins, effective immediately, after he was granted a release from the final year of his contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.
“Tuki” Simpkins has signed a three-year contract with the club that will see him feature in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season.
In addition to the signing of Simpkins, Wests Tigers have confirmed that Kane Bradley has been released from the final year of his contract to join another NRL club.
Standing at 192cm and topping the scales at 105kg, the 19-year-old edge forward is viewed as a rising prospect in rugby league having transitioning from rugby union in Rotorua. Simpkins was initially spotted at the 2016 New Zealand U/15 Rugby League National Championships and has spent the last 12 months in the North Queensland system.
Wests Tigers General Manager – Football Adam Hartigan expressed his delight to secure Simpkins on a long-term contract.
“Tuki is clearly an exceptional talent and we’re very excited to see him play his football in a Wests Tigers jersey moving forward,” Hartigan said.
“Tuki will add a lot to our forward pack over the coming years, and adds to the already talented young squad we’re building for the future of Wests Tigers.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe welcomed Simpkins to the club and thanked Bradley for his service over the past two years.
“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to welcome Tuki to the club and say how pleased we are to have secured his services long-term,” Pascoe said.
“As a club, we’re all looking forward to watching him take next steps of his development in a Wests Tigers jersey.
“I’d also like to thank Kane for his efforts since joining Wests Tigers in 2019,” Pascoe said. “He is a fine young man, and we wish him all the best in the next steps of his career.”
Simpkins will join his new Wests Tigers teammates when training resumes on Thursday.
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Very unexpected and very good news
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I would say there would’ve been a swap
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@walter said in Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released:
I would say there would’ve been a swap
You are correct, Cowboys have just announced Bradley.
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Good signing and big boy with good offloading skills and strong defender. Losing Bradley is no big issue as he was always going to be in reserves down the pecking order. Wish him well and look forward to more signings as we still have the same amount of spots available.
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Great business from us… awful business from cowboys
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There were rumours about Simpkins situation last year, but it went quite until now.
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Apart from being highly rated has anyone actually seen him play, he comes in a position we are short in so im guessing he’s already in the top 30?
Surely someone will post a youtube montage shortly
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@JC99 said in Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released:
Great business from us… awful business from cowboys
Just be thankful for Wests tigers coming of age.
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@The_Doc said in Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released:
Apart from being highly rated has anyone actually seen him play, he comes in a position we are short in so im guessing he’s already in the top 30?
Surely someone will post a youtube montage shortly
Yes straight into the top 30. Could make his debut sometime this year considering Blore is so young too and Garner is very hot and cold.
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Another positive move from the club,it has been our most productive off season for many years
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Confusion will reign I’m telling you when Simpkin darts from dummy half and put Simpkins over for a TRY…
Good signing
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My problem is why would the cowboys let a young backrower go When there forwards are average besides Taumalolo
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@walter said in Tukimihia Simpkins signs, Kane Bradley released:
My problem is why would the cowboys let a young backrower go When there forwards are average besides Taumalolo
I would think we had signed him from 2022 so there wasn’t much point keeping him for 2021 if they could get a player long term in a swap deal.
