St George Illawarra representative forwards Tariq Sims and George Burgess are set to be snubbed for the opening round of the NRL season.
Sims is a NSW State of Origin back-rower and Burgess an England Test prop, but according to 9News that won’t stop Dragons coach Anthony Griffin from overlooking the pair for the side’s first-round clash with the Warriors.
The Dragons and Warriors will square off at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday evening, as St George Illawarra look to recover from a horrid end to their 2021 campaign.
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The Dragons were in July rocked by a barbeque scandal – which led to 13 players being suspended, $305,000 in fines and party host Paul Vaughan being sacked – and the club didn’t win a game after that point, losing eight in succession.
The selection news regarding Burgess is a blow to the former Rabbitoh’s remarkable injury comeback.
The 29-year-old had career-threatening hip surgery in April 2021 but scored a two-year deal with the Dragons in August.
The Dragons confirmed in September that not only was Sims unlikely to have his contract renewed after 2022, but that he was free to depart before its expiry.
Sims and Burgess are this year competing for spots with the likes of Josh McGuire, Jack de Belin, Francis Molo, Aaron Woods and Josh Kerr.
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