Wests Tigers have signed another promising young forward.
Tukimihia “Tuki” Simpkins will join Wests immediately, after he was granted a release from the final year of his contract with the North Queensland Cowboys.
Standing at 192cm and topping the scales at 105kg, the 19-year-old edge forward is viewed as a rising prospect in rugby league having transitioning from rugby union in Rotorua.
Simpkins was initially spotted at the 2016 New Zealand U/15 Rugby League National Championships and has spent the last 12 months in the North Queensland system.
The young forward has signed a three year contract with the club that will see him feature in Wests Tigers colours until at least the end of the 2023 NRL season.
Wests Tigers general manager of football Adam Hartigan expressed his delight.
“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.”
Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe welcomed Simpkins to the club.
“On behalf of all at Wests Tigers, I’d like to welcome Tuki to the club and say how pleased we are to have secured his services long-term,” Pascoe said.
“As a club, we’re all looking forward to watching him take the next steps of his development in a Wests Tigers jersey.
Simpkins will join his new Wests Tigers teammates when training resumes on Thursday.
- In addition to the signing of Simpkins, Wests Tigers have revealed that that Kane Bradley has been released from the final year of his contract. Bradley is believed to be headed to the North Queensland Cowboys.
