Melbourne Storm forward linked with exit, Super League options explored – reports

Josh McAllister

Tariq Sims celebrates with team-mate Reimis Smith against Brisbane Broncos. Photo by (AAP Image/Jono Searle.

Melbourne Storm forward Tariq Sims has been linked with an exit from NRL giants with the forward weighing up his future options.

The Fiji international joined Craig Bellamy’s side on a one-year deal ahead of the 2023 campaign from St George Illawarra Dragons.

News Corp reports that the 33-year-old is keen on continuing his career at AAMI Park, while Zero Tackle have reported that his management have started looking at options in Super League.

Sims has only played 12 times for Melbourne this year in the regular campaign, having featured in the ultimate round against Brisbane Broncos with several stars rested ahead of the finals.

His last appearance in the first grade before then came in Round 21 from the interchange bench against Newcastle Knights, while he made seven appearances for Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup.

It’s not the first time the ex-North Queensland Cowboys man has been linked with a move across the globe. Leeds Rhinos previously shut down rumours back in 2021, with Leeds Live rubbishing the reports.

A tight salary cap may squeeze the New South Wales representative out, having already reportedly taken a major pay cut to make the move at the end of 2023.

Every Super League club except Huddersfield Giants and Hull KR have at least one quota space available for 2024.

The utility forward has made 233 NRL appearances to date, scoring 44 tries. He represented his heritage at the 2013 World Cup in England alongside brothers Ashton and Korbin.

Both Ashton and Korbin finished their careers in Super League with Toronto Wolfpack and Hull KR respectively.

Prop forward Ashton, the eldest of the trio at 38-years-old, initially made the move to England with Warrington for 2015 after 228 appearances Down Under.

Korbin, the youngest at 31, made 32 appearances for the Robins before making a retirement U-turn to feature for Fiji one last time during the delayed 2021 World Cup in England.

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