SIMS ENSURES IT WILL BE A JUNGLE OUT THERE
THE Broncos are bracing for more trash talk from Tariq Sims tonight following revelations the Dragons hitman sledged Brisbane last year and taunted rookie forward David Fifita by calling him “Tarzan”.
Sims revelled in getting under Brisbane’s skin with the NSW Origin star verbally attacking Broncos players during the Dragons’ stunning 48-18 finals win at Suncorp Stadium last year.
Sims produced the greatest performance of his 157-game career in the Broncos-Dragons elimination final, scoring a hat-trick to send Brisbane crashing out of the title race.
Now Sims returns to the scene of his finals cameo determined to replicate the physical and mental disintegration of a Broncos side banking on their young forwards to handle a quality Dragons pack.
Boom Broncos rookie Fifita hasn’t forgotten Sims’ sledging tactics. Playing in just his 11th top-grade game last year, Fifita marked-up against Sims, who attempted to mess with the 18-yearold’s head by labelling him “Tarzan” during their backrow battle.
“Tariq talked it up aggressively as well,” Fifita said. “He was sledging us because they were winning on the scoreboard. He was rubbing it in our faces.”
The 108kg Fifita will again be required to halt the hardrunning Sims tonight and Broncos coach Anthony Seibold challenged his forwards to win the midfield as the Dragons look to snap a two-game losing streak.
“I do think Tariq is a real weapon for them on our right edge,” Seibold said.
“He is their left-edge back-rower and was outstanding in that semifinal performance last year.
“We have made some subtle changes to how we defend and would like to think we’ll be a bit more aggressive on the edges.”