Qantas Wallabies lock Rob Simmons has extended his stay at the NSW Waratahs after signing a two-year extension with Rugby Australia and New South Wales Rugby Union.
Simmons has reinvigorated his career following his move south from Queensland, and enjoyed a rich vein of form during the Waratahs 2019 Vodafone Super Rugby campaign.
The 30-year old is now in line to become just the 11th Australian Test centurion should he earn six more Wallabies caps.
Qantas Wallabies lock Rob Simmons said: “It’s been a great move to Sydney, both professionally and personally. My family have really enjoyed it and The Waratahs have been good to me so hopefully I can repay them over the next two years.
“The group is very focused on what they want to achieve and I’m just trying to support Hoops (Michael Hooper) in every way possible so that we can continue to mature as a group.
“The Wallabies have been a big part of my life for nearly a decade now and I’m hugely proud whenever I get the chance to wear the Wallaby jersey. I obviously knew that I had the option to still play for Australia and be based overseas and I had interest from a few clubs but that just wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Simmons said.
Qantas Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said: “Rob has played some of the best rugby of his career for the Waratahs this season. He has been very consistent and very resilient.”
“I still believe there is plenty of growth in Rob’s game and he is primed to show that over the coming months,” Cheika said.
The Wallabies will depart for South Africa this weekend for a week-long camp on the Highveld before their Test against the Springboks on Saturday July 20 at Ellis Park.
Michael Cheika’s side will then return home to Brisbane for their first home Test of 2019, when they face a resurgent Argentina at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday July 27. Tickets are available via Ticketek.
Rob Simmons
Position: Lock
DOB: 19/04/1989
Birthplace: Theodore, Queensland
Height: 200cm
Weight: 115kg
Super Rugby Debut: 2009 v Bulls, Pretoria (Queensland)
Super Rugby Caps: 145 caps (31 NSW & 114 QLD)
Super Rugby Points: 30 points (10 NSW & 20 QLD)
Wallaby Number: 844
Test Debut: 2010 v South Africa, Brisbane
Test Caps: 94
Test Points: 15 (3T)
