Simpkins was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, and is of Māori descent.
Careeredit
Early careeredit
Simpkins begun his career playing rugby union for Rotorua Boys High School first XV. He signed with Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs when he was 15 and held brief talks with the Crusaders. He was first spotted by North Queensland Cowboys scouts at the New Zealand 15s rugby league tournament in Rotorua in 2016.[3]
He became a New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby league representative and played for the New Zealand Residents team in 2019 before heading to Australia in 2020.[4]
In 2020, he was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys, he played one game with North Queensland feeder club the Townsville Blackhawks in the under 20s competition. He was brought to the Wests Tigers on a three-year-deal in a player swap deal with Kane Bradley.[5]
On 24 January 2022, it was revealed that Simpkins had allegedly been involved in a car accident in which he mounted the kerb and drove through a fence while also being unlicensed. Simpkins then allegedly fled the scene of the accident but later handed himself into NSW Police. The Wests Tigers club later released a statement saying "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".[8]
^"Wests Tigers star Tuki Simpkins under investigation by police". www.news.com.au.
External linksedit
Tigers profile
December 15, 2023
tukimihia, simpkins, born, december, 2001, professional, rugby, league, footballer, plays, prop, forward, wests, tigers, national, rugby, league, simpkins, 2023personal, informationfull, nameborn, 2001, december, 2001, rotorua, zealandheight192, weight108, pla. Tukimihia Simpkins born 24 December 2001 is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop forward for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League NRL Tukimihia SimpkinsSimpkins in 2023Personal informationFull nameTukimihia SimpkinsBorn 2001 12 24 24 December 2001 age 21 Rotorua New ZealandHeight192 cm 6 ft 4 in Weight108 kg 17 st 0 lb Playing informationPositionSecond row PropClubYears Team Pld T G FG P2021 Wests Tigers 5 0 0 0 0RepresentativeYears Team Pld T G FG P2023 Maori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0Source 1 2 As of 4 October 2022 Contents 1 Background 2 Career 2 1 Early career 2 2 2021 3 Controversy 4 References 5 External linksBackground editSimpkins was born in Rotorua New Zealand and is of Maori descent Career editEarly career edit Simpkins begun his career playing rugby union for Rotorua Boys High School first XV He signed with Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs when he was 15 and held brief talks with the Crusaders He was first spotted by North Queensland Cowboys scouts at the New Zealand 15s rugby league tournament in Rotorua in 2016 3 He became a New Zealand Secondary Schools rugby league representative and played for the New Zealand Residents team in 2019 before heading to Australia in 2020 4 In 2020 he was signed by the North Queensland Cowboys he played one game with North Queensland feeder club the Townsville Blackhawks in the under 20s competition He was brought to the Wests Tigers on a three year deal in a player swap deal with Kane Bradley 5 2021 edit Simpkins began the 2021 season playing for Western Suburbs in the New South Wales Cup 6 Simpkins made his debut from the bench in round 18 of the 2021 NRL season for Wests Tigers in their 42 24 victory over the Brisbane Broncos at Lang Park 7 Controversy editOn 24 January 2022 it was revealed that Simpkins had allegedly been involved in a car accident in which he mounted the kerb and drove through a fence while also being unlicensed Simpkins then allegedly fled the scene of the accident but later handed himself into NSW Police The Wests Tigers club later released a statement saying 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 8 References edit Rugby League Project Tukimihia Simpkins NRL Top Kiwi prospect Tuki Simpkins joins Wests Tigers after player switch 5 January 2021 All Black white and gold How New Zealand rugby let Wests Tigers giant escape 17 July 2021 Cowboys Wests Tigers announce player swap NRL News 4 January 2021 Magpies fall to Bears in wet and gritty clash Wests Tigers 21 March 2021 Round 18 NRL team lists NRL com 4 May 2021 Wests Tigers star Tuki Simpkins under investigation by police www news com au External links editTigers profile Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tukimihia Simpkins amp oldid 1187748643, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
