Tariq Sims: I play with my heart on my sleeve

If anyone is ready for the Betfred Super League season to begin, then it's the Dragons' passionate new powerhouse, Tariq Sims.

Sims, an experienced NRL man and Australian international, has been the embracing the French way of life since his move over to Catalans and is excited for the challenge ahead.

He follows in the footsteps of his two brothers Ashton and Korbin Sims, who Super League fans will already be well familiar with - as they had previous stints in the top tier for Warrington Wolves and Hull KR, respectively.

Adjusting to life in the south of France, Sims admits the language barrier has been a hurdle, but everyone at the Dragons has been extremely welcoming:

"It is definitely huge change, but it's been a wonderful transition," Sims said.

"We came over here not knowing any French at all, but my daughters are now in a French school, and they have a challenge every day to come home with a new word and it's great.

"Their attitudes towards the big change have been awesome, and personally the club and the players have been so accepting of me and my family."

Sims already had prior knowledge of the Super League competition, and one particular pull factor for him was Super League's passionate fans and the electric atmospheres on match-days, which he is very eager to experience - being a passionate man himself:

"I was talking to my older brother Ashton [Sims], and he was explaining to me how passionate the fans are over here," Sims explained.

"I'm really excited to actually travel to an away game, and to see and listen and hear the chants. I've never been to a game where a crowd just starts chanting a player's name.

"It's really exciting. I love it - whether fans are cheering, booing, or hissing, I love it. I'm just like my brothers, I play with my heart on my sleeve and things like that are exciting to me."

Sims also revealed there is one certain away fixture he has his eye on this year:

"I really want to go to Warrington and play at Warrington purely because my brother was there, and he said it was an atmosphere I'd want to experience.

"I want to see them and hopefully I can interact with some of their fans in a nice way."

"I just want to experience those big games and travel to the new stadiums - I haven't played at a lot of the stadiums over here."

? @tariq_sims pic.twitter.com/wowO6ZAa3f
— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) December 20, 2023

A potential move to Catalans Dragons has been on Sims' radar for some time, as former Dragons stars Clint Greenshield, Dallas Johnson, and Greg Bird most recently, had spoken highly of the club. This meant Sims had been thinking about the Dragons and a switch to the Super League for a number of years:

"When they were playing here at Catalans, they planted the seed that it would be really good to come over and test myself.

"Now that I'm here it's been wonderful - and everything they've said hasn't been a lie."

Fortunate for the opportunity, Sims is now raring to go with Catalans in 2024 - a side who could look to go one step further than last year and win their first ever Grand Final:

"Living in the South of France is great - you get to train and play and learn a new language.

"It's exciting and it's a fresh start. There's a lot to be done before Round 1 but the way we're sitting during in pre-season, I'd say we're looking nice."

And although silverware would be the ultimate goal for the Dragons, who have excelled as a competitive side and challengers in recent seasons, Sims recognises the importance of taking each week as it comes in this year's Super League campaign:

"We still have things we need to work on, and we have to take it week to week. We've seen it so many times before, where a team could be travelling well but then injuries or things out of their control might happen and then you go on a losing streak, or teams start jumping you in the table.

"We really have to make sure we're facing the game in hand and just going from there."

With over 200 NRL appearances under his belt, the versatile 34-year-old hopes he can be a strong addition to the 2024 squad and make a big impact within the Catalans team:

"The beauty of the Catalans Dragons is we've got a lot of great leaders throughout our team.

"Hopefully I can bring a calm head when we're in certain positions, and experience in the middle and on the edges. Or wherever Steve [McNamara] needs to use me."