Wire prop Sims aspires to match Peacock’s example

Warrington prop Ashton Sims is an unqualified admirer of Leeds icon Jamie Peacock, and sees the England international as a fine example to follow in his own career.

Peacock is in his final season as a Super League player, but he is still producing world-class performances week-in and week-out, even at the age of 37.

Sims thinks that any front rowers making their way in the game’s professional pyramid should take inspiration from ‘JP’.

“I love it. I love it how he’s still going,” he told Love Rugby League.

“I love it how he’s still playing big minutes. You look at his game every week, and he’s making about 20 hit-ups and 30 to 40 tackles.

“Young front rowers who are coming up through the game, and have even played a couple of Super League games, can look at a bloke like that and have a big idol in him.

“I’ve been a fan of him for a long time. Him and guys like Adrian Morley, guys like that I look up to.

“That’s a real warrior there, that’s what we as front rower aspire to be like, and he’s done it for a very long time.”

Sims has been impressed by Super League front row play generally, and he thinks the league is every bit as tough to play in as the NRL.

“They’re tough as nails,” he told Love Rugby League.

“There’s certainly the physicality here. The impacts are the same, I think, and I’m right there in the firing line.

“It’s a part of the game that you’ve got to love as a front rower.

“It’s certainly a strong part of the game over here, and you certainly wake up the next morning feeling like you’ve been run over by an 18-wheeler.”

Sims, of course, lines up in Wire’s middle unit alongside Chris Hill, another player he thinks is becoming a true great of the game.

“He’s one of my favourite players I’ve ever played with,” he said.

“You want to talk about guys like Peacock, well, you can put Hilly’s name up there as well.

“He’s one of those guys who just never says die, and as tired as he is out on the field, he’ll always turn up.

“It’s guys like him and Jamie Peacock that you look at and think, ‘Wow!’

“No wonder they are the player they are.”