
Both George Burgess and Tariq Sims will not play for St George Illawarra Dragons this weekend on the opening round of the NRL.
The Dragons take on New Zealand Warriors on Saturday but neither of the rampaging enforcers will be present.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Sims had been told by the Dragons that he could find another club after not being handed a new deal – and was even told he could leave immediately if another deal was forthcoming in 2021.
Sims, who represented New South Wales at State of Origin level in 2021, has been linked with a move to the Parramatta Eels whilst he was also rumoured to be hunting a Super League deal after his brothers Ashton and Korbin’s foray into the UK competition.
Keeping the Fijian international out of the side has only fuelled speculation that he could be heading for the door.
Meanwhile, Burgess hasn’t played since his ill-fated spell at the Wigan Warriors in Super League back in 2020.
The Bradford-born prop suffered a severe hip injury and needed horrendous surgery to ensure he could play again.
And, in doing so, Burgess has become the first-ever rugby league player to return from that type of intense surgery – but he will not play in round one, with the reserves the likeliest option.
