This Viking aims to conquer Hull
ASHTON SIMS’ distinctive Viking look – inspired by his love of heavy metal and Metallica in particular – certainly marks him out as a leader of men.
And the Warrington prop’s dedication to his profession is clear to see as he gears up for Saturday’s Challenge Cup final against Hull FC at Wembley.
The 31-year-old is in his second season with the Wolves after a decade in the NRL with St George, Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys.
Fiji prop Sims said: “I love to get stuck in and I want the guys around me to think ‘I want to play with him’.
“I think that’s one of the biggest compliments you can have: when your peers say that you are one of the guys they love playing with.
“I try to be that guy who you want in the trenches with you.
“I’m just a dude doing what I dreamed of doing as a kid and I don’t want to let that slip. I’m a pretty relaxed guy off the pitch and my wife and four kids are my absolute world. But I’ve got
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so much love and passion for rugby league and lifting the Challenge Cup this weekend would be an awesome feeling.”
Warrington, packed full of internationals, collide with a heavyweight Hull outfit who have never won at Wembley.
The Wolves, by contrast, have won the famous old trophy three times since 2009 under Tony Smith and Sims is now seeking the first silverware of his career.
He said: “Playing in front of such a massive crowd, in a game as big as this – it’s hair-raising just talking about it.”
KEVIN SINFIELD has been appointed to the role of rugby director at the Rugby Football League.
The former Leeds and England captain will lead on the review of the RFL Performance Strategy and assist in devising a four-year England 2021 World Cup Performance Plan.