RED-FACED ROB READY TO REPAY WARATAHS
UNWANTED by Queensland, Wallabies forward Rob Simmons has vowed to return to his best form after signing a two-year deal with rivals NSW.
The Southport School junior found himself in the odd position of having an ARU top-up as a player of national interest yet sidelined by the Reds. With Dean Mumm retiring and Will Skelton moving to England, the Waratahs have pounced on Simmons, who two years ago was a certain starter for the Wallabies.
“I definitely think I can get back to that, I don’t think I’m far off,” the lock said. “It’s about consistencies in my game, not doing one good thing and resting on that and coming back another 10 minutes later, just getting back up and getting straight back into the game.”
As for his snubbing by the Reds, Simmons said: “It’s probably not what people would script, it is what it is and that’s part of sport, you ride those roller-coasters.”
The 28-year-old has played 73 Tests for the Wallabies, including last weekend’s heartbreaking defeat to the All Blacks in which Simmons was a strong presence.
“I was pretty happy with that performance, it wasn’t the finished product but it was a good stepping stone to changing how I’ve been playing and I want to keep going down that road,” Simmons said.
“I want a better season than the last few years that I’ve had personally and as a team.”