Sims brands brother an idiot for Queensland devotion

Ashton Sims says his NSW-born and bred sibling Korbin is an “absolute idiot” for wanting to play for Queensland.

Newcastle Knights prop Korbin is being earmarked to play State of Origin for the Maroons and trained with the Queensland side ahead of Origin II last year.

The NRL front-rower, like older brothers Ashton and Tariq, was born and raised in the NSW South Coast town of Gerringong and played junior football for the Gerringong Lions and Wests Panthers, but moved north at 16 when he was signed by the Brisbane Broncos.

He is only eligible for Queensland because he played his first representative game there.

Korbin Sims has said publicly he has no passion to play for NSW but his brother Ashton doesn’t understand his decision.

“He’s an absolute idiot,” the Warrington prop told Love Rugby League.

“I’ve told him I don’t understand where all this passion and all that crap comes from.

“We’re born and bred in NSW. We’re so enriched in NSW… Ah he’s his own man. I’ve always said to him look, if you play Origin I hope you get man of the match in a losing team.

“Even if he gets to play for Queensland, I’ll never go for Queensland.

“Tariq thinks he’s a clown too.”

The NSW South Coast is a rugby league heartland area and the tiny of town of under 4000 people has produced past Blues greats like Mick Cronin, Rod Wishart and Paul Quinn.

The 2016 State of Origin series could see the rare coincidence of brothers playing against each for rival states.

Tariq Sims, also with Newcastle, was the 19th man for NSW in Game II last year and was named in the Emerging Blues squad last week.

“It’d be interesting,” Ashton said.

“I’ll always be going for NSW, but if they were both in I’d be happy for both of them.

“I love both brothers exactly the same, just genuinely not happy with one of my brother’s decisions.”

Game I and Game III three will be held in Sydney this year with Game II in Brisbane.

Ashton is hoping 2016 is the beginning of Queensland’s decline, after the Maroons have won nine of the past 10 series.

“Hopefully it’s the start of their decline,” the Wolves prop said.

“But NSW we’re getting a strong team down there, a strong squad of players. Hopefully we can have a bit a dynasty like they had.”