Newcastle’s Tariq Sims has been called up to the NSW squad as a reserve for next week’s State of Origin II, again highlighting the interstate series’ curious eligibility laws.
If injury strikes both the Blues and Queensland camps, Tariq could play against his brother Korbin who is a shadow player in the Maroons’ side for Origin II on Wednesday at the MCG.
Both Newcastle back-rowers were born in Gerringong, NSW, before the family moved to Queensland.
Tariq, 25, who is two years older than Korbin, played his first junior football in Gerringong. But his brother’s first junior football was played when the family moved north – that is why he qualifies to play for the Maroons.
Tariq was first drafted into the NSW squad under then coach Ricky Stuart as an 18th man in 2012, and was viewed by long-time NSW assistant Steve Roach as the future of the Blues’ forward pack before he twice broke his leg.
The former North Queensland forward, who has played five Tests for Fiji, has represented NSW Country four times and was a standout in the representative fixture in Wagga Wagga earlier this year.
A former Junior Kangaroo, Korbin has also played five Tests for Fiji. Both brothers are yet to make their State of Origin debuts.
Tariq has come into the NSW side for St George Illawarra’s Tyson Frizell, who has suffered a back injury.
One of South Sydney duo Alex Johnston or Dylan Walker are expected to come into the NSW side as a backline reserve after the Rabbitohs’ NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Friday.
NSW leave their Coffs Harbour base on Sunday to travel to Melbourne.
big J
Guest
please explain????????
big J
Guest
brother vs brother at SOS seriously who wouldn't want that. No matter who you are your brother is always your biggest rivial. I say let them play against each other and watch you comes out on top.
pete bloor
Guest
From what I've heard from some people involved in his later junior years he felt there was a bit of a racial bias south of the border so when the opportunity presented itself he switched.
James T
Guest
Queensland cheated on the Inglis matter but it ain't gonna change so might as well leave it alone. Most other cases have involved families moving so there is some grey areas, funny though how they have generally fallen in favour of Queensland. Probably should come down to where you have lived the longest at a particular age.
robertdowney
Guest
people need to get out more. its the 21st century and the world is a smaller place. people may be born in one place and live periods of their lives in other places. their siblings, parents and grandparents may be born and/or live in different places to them. this can effect their eligibility/eligibilities for teams. james pattinson (australian cricketer) has a brother that played for england matt cockbain (former wallaby) has a brother that played for Wales. time to get over the greg inglis thing.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Somewhat reminiscent of the great Peter Sterling born in Toowoomba.
Trevor
Guest
The GI issue makes me laugh so much my sides split every time this comes up. I understand he tried to play in NSW but was rejected so went to Brisbane. It's only now he's a champion the NSW are crying foul. Anyway the eligibility has nothing to do with where you were born (maybe it should but at this stage it isn't). The rules may or may not seem fair but they are what they are.
Benno
Guest
-- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Benno
Guest
It started back with the Tenterfield born and raised Billy Moore back in the 90's. It always makes me laugh that Moore (a New South Welshman) screening "Queenslander" while running onto the field is consistently used to showcase the Qld Spirit whatever that is. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Gerringong. That's in Queensland.
Charles
Guest
Real Origin boils down to which State developed and nurtured your footy skills as a junior at the end of the day.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
A joke? really? The Perrett brothers are 10 years apart in age and the family moved countries when Lloyd wasn't even school age yet. The only joke here is that you think the siblings are supposed to be clones.
Bails
Guest
That is kind of happens now?? but only with the players that walk the tightrope, and the players are there putting their hand up when it is certain sides turn going ... pick me! pick me!
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
You know, I get the impression a fair bit of the Sims situation is personal...Iike, Korbin, knowing full well he was born in Gerrigong, seems to almost go a bit over the top about how much he's a Queenslander, also knowing full well that his brother Tariq will massively cracks the sads.
pjm
Roar Rookie
No one cared about a year here or a year there before but then QLD came along and completely rorted the system and now innocent players have to pay for it.
Nordburg
Guest
The whole thing is a joke.Ill go one better,Sam Perrett,a kiwi who has played for NZ,as opposed to his younger brother Lloyd who wants to play for QLD in Origin -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
MAX
Guest
Seriously, it is difficult to take ORIGIN eligibility: seriously. It would be preferable for a pool of Rugby League's best to be assembled and the captains go pick for pick like we did in the park as kids. This process would be repeated before each match. The same jumpers used.
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Inglis is to blame for this schemozzle. Lol.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I don't know how to fix it, but the current eligibility questions don't work if Luke Keary, a Qlder, is NOT eligible to play for Qld. That is ridiculous.