North Queensland’s damaging backrow forward, Tariq Sims, is looking to use the City v Country stage to springboard himself into NSW calculations.
The 2011 rookie sensation has been named on the bench for Country and is hoping to put in a strong performance in front of Blues coach Ricky Stuart on Sunday afternoon in Mudgee.
Sims believes a solid performance for Country could be the catalyst for a dream Origin call-up.
“Hopefully I can achieve that by getting on the field, playing as many minutes as I can and try to impress Ricky and the whole crew as well as the other players,” Sims told NRL.com.
“It’s no secret that this has been a very good stepping stone on your way to a State of Origin career and a pathway to find your way there.
“I’m very excited.”
Sims had a breakout year in 2011, earmarking himself as a NSW player of the future with some barnstorming performances, before a broken leg ended his season in Round 25.
Sims is hoping a dominant display in the annual City-Country fixture will prove to NSW selectors he has fully recovered from the injury.
“I’ve dropped a little bit of weight as well and I’m happy about that,” he said.
“Hopefully I will keep improving.”