Sims signs for Dragons

Catalans Dragons have announced the signing of Tariq Sims from the 2024 Betfred Super League season. The Melbourne Storm second row, 33, has signed a two-year deal with the club.

Sims made his NRL debut in 2011 at 21 years-old with North Queensland Cowboys. A versatile player who is able to play second row, loose forward row or prop, he managed to secure his place in the Cowboys squad in his debut year, scoring five tries in 20 appearances.

After four seasons in North Queensland, Sims moved to Newcastle Knights in 2015. He made 27 appearances for the Knights before joining St George Illawarra Dragons during the 2016 NRL season. The Australian-born Sims played the majority of his NRL games whilst with the Dragons, making 123 appearances over seven seasons at the club.

At the age of 32, Tariq Sims joined his fourth NRL club when he linked up with Melbourne Storm for the 2023 season. He played 15 NRL games for the Storm and has now reached 236 NRL appearances since 2011, scoring 44 tries in 13 seasons at the highest level.

He starred for Fiji at the 2013 World Cup, reaching the Semi-Finals of the competition, whilst also representing New South Wales in State of Origin six times between 2018 and 2022, winning three games with the Blues.

On joining Catalans in 2024, Tariq Sims said: "I'm excited to add to the team my experience and what I've learnt over the past 13 years in the NRL. my desire to compete and challenge myself both on and off the field is motivating to me, and I believe being at the Catalans will do that. It'll be a new chapter for myself and my family, but we are very excited for it."

Steve McNamara said: "We are really pleased to add someone of Tariq's quality and experience to our team. His ability to play both on the edge and the middle will increase our selection options and he will also fill a void which will be left by some our players retiring in the leadership area. His enthusiasm to join the Dragons and be successful was apparent from the first conversation and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to Perpignan."