Future of Tigers player in balance after fleeing the scene of an accident
Wests Tigers forward Tuki Simpkins will front police for questioning after turning himself in for fleeing the scene of an accident while driving without a licence on Sunday morning.
Simpkins was driving a vehicle with multiple passengers in the car when he mounted the kerb and crashed into a fence in the early hours of Sunday. It’s believed the passengers are members of the Tigers’ Jersey Flegg squad.
Wests Tigers forward Tuki Simpkins is in hot water after an incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.NRL Photos
Simpkins was not under the influence of alcohol and later told police that he was driving his teammates to McDonald’s for an early morning meal when he lost control of the vehicle.
Police will today interview the 20-year-old after he later turned himself in when officers questioned the owner of the vehicle - Simpkins’ roommate - about the incident a few hours later.
The NRL confirmed that the Wests Tigers had reported the matter to the Integrity Unit and are allowing NSW Police to deal with the incident.
Wests Tigers chief executive Justin Pascoe also confirmed the club was dealing with the players but would not delve into the matter when contacted for comment.
“It’s a police matter and the club will make no further comment at this stage,” Pascoe told the Herald on Monday afternoon.
Simpkins, who hails from Rotorua in New Zealand, played five NRL games for the Tigers after making his first grade debut in 2021 and is considered one of the brightest young prospects at the club.
Simpkins joined the Wests Tigers from the North Queensland Cowboys at the start of the 2020 season after agreeing to a three-year deal. He still has two seasons remaining on his contract with the club.
It comes after drama-plagued forward Zane Musgrove this month pleaded guilty to a driving charge for getting behind the wheel of a BMW in November last year despite being just two months into a three-month licence suspension. He is due to appear in court next month.
Meanwhile the NSWRL is awaiting a report from the Manly Sea Eagles regarding the details of Saturday’s junior representative brawl at Erskineville Oval.
As first reported by the Herald on Monday, South Sydney officials were forced to call police to a brawl that erupted in the crowd during the SG Ball clash between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles.
The incident involved a Manly junior player in the stands and a spectator. One of the players on the bench during the SG Ball game also ran to the sideline and was spotted having a heated verbal exchange with former Manly player John Hopoate.
Wests Tigers have been made aware of an incident involving NRL player Tukimihia Simpkins.
The club has alerted the NRL to the matter and will continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit as needed.
As this remains an ongoing legal matter, the club will make no further comment at the time.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
NSW Rugby League confirms investigation into crowd fight at Manly and South Sydney match
The Manly Sea Eagles and NSW Rugby League are investigating following reports a bloody fight broke out at a junior footy match.
A Manly Sea Eagles rugby league player is under investigation after he was filmed sparking a brawl at a junior representative match over the weekend.
The fight broke out at the SG Ball trial match between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Erskineville Oval on Saturday.
It is believed the Manly player became involved in a heated confrontation with a spectator before the pair broke out into a fight.
The two men are said to be known to each other, with allegations one of the men was kicked repeatedly in the head while on the ground, spraying blood everywhere.
A NSW Rugby League spokesman has confirmed officials are investigating the incident.
A spokesman from the Manly club also confirmed the incident was being investigated, with the club working with both the NSWRL and South Sydney to consider any “action that may be required”.
It is alleged a Sea Eagles player ran from the bench to the tunnel area and engaged in a heated verbal exchange with Hopoate.
A witness said one of the men involved in the brawl was left with a “ripped shirt and blood everywhere”, while another described it as “sickening”.
Police were called to the grounds but both men involved in the fight had left by the time officers arrived.
NSW Police said no reports were made in relation to the incident.
“Police have not received any reports in relation to an alleged assault at a rugby league game in Erskineville on Saturday,” NSW Police said in a statement.
“Anyone wishing to make a report is urged to contact South Sydney Police Area Command or Crime Stoppers.”
A NSWRL spokesman said officials had reviewed the video of the trial match, but it did not contain any vision of the “off-field incident”.
“The information in the initial report indicates the incident was between two spectators,” the spokesman said.
“No players who participated in the match were involved in the altercation.”
Sea Eagles officials have spoken to relative parties and prepared a report for the club’s chief executive Stephen Humphreys.
“The Manly club has been asked to provide NSWRL with a full report of the incident. A report has been submitted by Souths,” the NSWRL spokesman said.
“After receiving the report the NSWRL will determine if further action is required.
“The NSWRL has a zero-tolerance policy for behaviour that threatens the safety of participants, officials and spectators and incidents like these are contrary to the standards of any community sport.”
Originally published as NSW Rugby League confirms investigation into crowd fight at Manly and South Sydney match
