Tigers land prop in player swap deal

MICHAEL Maguire’s roster overhaul continues as Wests Tigers snared a giant prop to bolster their forward pack for 2021.

The Tigers have signed Tukimihia Simpkins (pictured) from North Queensland on a three-year deal in what was effectively a player swap, with Kane Bradley heading the other way to join the Cowboys.

Simpkins’ signing follows the arrival of Penrith captain James Tamou, young gun Stefano Utoikamanu, ex-Maroons prop Joe Ofahengaue and former Blues flyer James Roberts at Concord as Maguire attempts to end the Tigers’ frustrating finals drought.

Simpkins, 19, is a monster of a player, standing at 192cm and weighing 105kg.

He has spent the past year in the North Qu e e n s l a n d system after being scouted from the 2016 New Zealand under-15 rugby league championships.

The schoolboy rugby union star is yet to play an NRL match but is considered a promising prospect.

Tigers football boss Adam Hartigan said he had high hopes for the Kiwi giant.

“Tuki is clearly an exceptional talent and we’re very excited to see him play his football in a Wests Tigers jersey moving forward,” Hartigan said.

“Tuki will add a lot to our forward pack over the coming years, and adds to the already talented young squad we’re building for the future of Wests Tigers.”

Meanwhile Bradley, who started out as a back-rower before moving to the wing, heads north on a two-year contract to boost the Cowboys’ outside backs stocks.

“We’re really excited to secure a player of Kane’s potential,” he said.

“Kane is a big body with speed and has been a noted try scorer in the lower grades.

“He adds significant depth to a position we believed we were a little undermanned and all reports we received about his work ethic, attitude and character were glowing.”