Tariq Sims prepared to play bodyguard role for NSW debutant

The intensity of the fans is like no other. The Maroons grow an extra leg. The Blues are intimidated.

It's a situation Sims experienced during his first appearance for NSW, game three 2018 at Suncorp Stadium, and he has spent the past week preparing Jarome Luai for a similar atmosphere during this year's series opener.

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The roommates will line up on the Blues left edge in Townsville, with Sims to act as the the 24-year-old's bodyguard during his debut.

While Sims is prepared to protect his five-eighth, he's confident the Panthers star will thrive under the Origin spotlight.

"Jarome is full of energy," Sims said. "It's actually quite surprising what kind of characters the Penrith boys are. They're very humble young men, respectful, polite but when they get across that white line, they want to win everything.

"Jarome has quite a big body, he's around six foot tall and he's not afraid to dip and get his jersey dirty. Every backrower's job is to help make those tackles and make the half's job a little bit easier. We've got a good combination going over the past week, I'm looking forward to Wednesday. It's exciting to have this shot of youth beside me."

An enforcer with a penchant for aggressive play, Sims has a history of pushing the fine line between a big hit and an illegal shot.

He has found himself on the wrong side of that equation throughout his career, most notably when he was rubbed out of the 2019 Origin decider for a hit on Cowboys halfback Michael Morgan.

With the NRL cracking down on foul play in the past month, Sims is determined to tread carefully when putting Maroons halves Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans under pressure.

"Freddy's message is just to play my game," Sims said. "Get the ball in my hands early, apply pressure in defence, work together with the middles. It's a similar gameplan, just a higher level and with a lot more scrutiny.

"With the crackdown and players being put in the bin or sent off, I definitely don't want to do that. I'll play a competitive brand of footy and do my job for the team.

"I need to control my enthusiasm without the ball, making sure I'm picking my targets and getting my timing right. It's a fine line between doing a good kick pressure and a penalty.

"The referees are under so much pressure, everything in our game is scrutinised at a high level, especially Origin, so I have to be on the ball for the full 80 and beyond if needed."

Wednesday's clash will mark a home-coming of sorts for Sims, the Gerringong product having started his career in Townsville at the Cowboys.

While he became a fan favourite during his four years with the club, the edge forward is not expecting a positive reception from the North Queensland faithful.

"It's going to be an experience going up to Far North Queensland. Playing four years of my career up there, I know how passionate the supporter base is, so I'm under no illusions about how we're going to be received.

"I made some lifelong friends in Townsville and there are some Tariq Sims fans up there, but I'm going up there in a sky blue jersey. I will be in enemy territory and I know what the reception is going to be like."