Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart is expecting Tariq Sims to bring exactly the same physical approach that made him a NSW Blues State of Origin player.
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Sims missed the Origin decider between NSW and Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night due to suspension after he caught North Queensland playmaker Michael Morgan high two weeks ago.
But he returns to face the Raiders at Wollongong on Sunday, where he'll take his usual place in St George Illawarra's second row where he averages 111 metres per game.
Sims made his Origin debut for the Blues in game three of last year's series and played Origin II this year before he was charged for his high shot on Morgan.
He pleaded not guilty and fought the charge at the NRL judiciary, but lost - although he did have it downgraded.
Ironically, if he pled guilty and argued for that very same downgrade he would've been free to play Origin.
That will give him extra motivation when he runs out against the Raiders on Sunday.
Rather than having his playing style affected by his suspension, Stuart expected Sims to bring the same aggressive approach he's known for.
"He's a very good player and he's a really big part of their team so I don't expect anything different to what we've normally got when I see Tariq Sims playing," Stuart said.
"He's an Origin player and he's a big threat."
Sims has been the Dragons' most penalised player this season with 12, which puts him just outside the top 10 in the NRL.
Since making his NRL debut at the start of the season, Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh has quickly earned a reputation as a fiery character who refuses to take a backward step.
Most notably, he stood up to South Sydney powerhouse Sam Burgess in their round 10 encounter.
Horsburgh said he didn't set out to target anyone, it just happened naturally. So Sims could find himself in the crosshairs of the big redhead.
The Dragons have had an up-and-down season so far and are sitting one win outside the top eight in 12th.
But they have a good recent record against the Green Machine, winning five of their past six encounters.
The Raiders are looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Parramatta, that earned them a brutal review.
"I don't try to pick out anyone, it just kind of happens. If it happens it happens," Horsburgh said of Sims.
"[The Dragons are] strong through the middle so to win the game we're going to have to win through the middle. It starts with the big boys."
Nick Cotric looks set to take his place in the Raiders centres in his comeback from an ankle injury.
It means the Raiders are approaching full strength after a horror run with injury, with only Joey Leilua (neck) and Hudson Young (suspended) currently unavailable.
Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker said it would help keep competition for spots as they look to build on their current fourth place and cement their first finals berth since 2016.
"It's very exciting. It's always good to have a full bill of health at any time of the year, but particularly going into the back end of the season," he said.
"It also keeps guys on their toes and that depth keeps added pressure on everyone in the squad."
NRL ROUND 17
Sunday: St George Illawarra Dragons v Canberra Raiders in Wollongong, 6.10pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Bailey Simonsson, 3. Jarrod Croker (C), 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Aidan Sezer, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (C), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. John Bateman, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Joe Tapine. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Corey Horsburgh, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Ryan Sutton, 18. Sam Williams, 19. Michael Oldfield, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Emre Guler.
Dragons squad: 1. Matthew Dufty, 2. Jonus Pearson, 3. Euan Aitken, 4. Timoteo Lafai, 5. Mikaele Ravalawa, 6. Corey Norman, 7. Darren Nicholls, 8. Jeremy Latimore, 9. Cameron McInnes, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Jacob Host, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Luciano Leilua. Interchange: 14. Korbin Sims, 15. Reece Robson, 16. Patrick Kaufusi, 17. Josh Kerr, 18. Tristan Sailor, 19. Jason Saab, 20. James Graham, 21. Ben Hunt.