Over eight NRL and Super League clubs reportedly interested in signing unwanted international forward

As many as eight clubs – including Super League sides – are said to be in for an NRL star after his club has revealed they will not be keeping him.

Tariq Sims is a man in demand after St George Illawarra Dragons confirmed they would not be extending the Fijian international’s contract past the 2022 NRL season.

It’s a surprising move by the Dragons considering he earned State of Origin representative honours in the last campaign.

While unconfirmed, Sims has been linked with Wests Tigers, Sydney Roosters, Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowbys, Brisbane Brisbane, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Penrith Penrith, along with two unnamed English Super League clubs.

However, it is thought that the Parramatta Eels are in the driving seat, having already signed the likes of Josh Hodgson for 2023.

Sims – aged 31 – would be expected to accept a pay cut at this stage of his career, according to the Daily Telegraph, though he will earn around $600,000 in his final year with St George.

The powerhouse forward had previously stated how ‘devastated’ he was that he wouldn’t be kept by the Dragons.

“We organised a meeting on two separate occasions to see where their heads were at and where they see me in the Dragons,” Sims told the Sydney media in September.

“On both those occasions, we found out there was no offer to be made for ’23 – that was obviously devastating for me. On the second occasion we found out that if I was to be able to find and secure a longer-term deal somewhere else for ’22 and beyond, they wouldn’t stand in my way.

“The conversations with the Dragons didn’t even reach that point, negotiating length of deals or the financial situations. The conversations we had were pretty short and sharp. I was upset at the start – unfortunately that’s football sometimes.”