'We watched each other grow up': Sims backs Wishart for Cleary challenge

Tyran Wishart needed to prove at training that he was the best option to deputise for Kiwis halfback Jahrome Hughes in the the Storm's semi-final clash with Sydney Roosters, but one person who didn’t need convincing was Tariq Sims.

Wishart and Sims are from the NSW South Coast town of Gerringong and while Sims is 10-years older the Origin forward has been aware of Wishart’s ability since he began playing juniors for their local club.

“We grew up in the same town, we went to the same school and his family is very well known in Gerringong,” Sims said.

‘His family is still there, my mum and dad are still there, it’s a small town so we have watched each other grow up and play footy.

“He's a footy player through and through, and the way he played was just a reflection of the young man that he is, as well as the footy player that he is, and he will just continue to grow.”

While Wishart’s father Rod only ever played on the wing in his 177 premiership matches for the Steelers and Dragons, 22 Origin and 18 Tests, Tyran is a spine utility who has also played almost every position for the Storm.

“He is someone who once he gets his mind around his job, he can do pretty much everything,” Sims said. “I've seen him this year alone, play hooker lock, centre, fullback, halfback and wing at times.”

After scoring a individual try in which he dummied past Kiwis hooker and former Storm team-mate Brandon Smith to give the Storm an early lead, Wishart is again preparing to deputise for Hughes in Friday night’s preliminary final against Penrith.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy appeared more hopeful than confident that Hughes will be fit, and he had a compression bandage on his left calf as he spoke to Wishart before the Storm’s dramatic 18-13 defeat of the Roosters.

“He just said to play my own game,” Wishart said. “Obviously we're two different players, and he has his strengths and I have mine.

“He just said, don't try and play any other game but my own game, and that was great advice from him. I took that on board, and I was glad he said that to me.”

With Hughes unable to train in the lead-up to the semi-final, Wishart and Jonah Pezet were Bellamy’s options for the halfback role and both deputised for him last Tuesday.

Despite having started at halfback just once in his previous 28 NRL appearances, it was clear at Thursday’s captain’s run that Bellamy was leaning towards Wishart.

“I got to train with the team all week, which was good because obviously Hughesy's calf was playing up a bit,” Wishart said.

“I knew that he was only a slim chance to play so I just went in and attacked the week with the mindset that I was playing, and sure enough I got the nod that I was.

“I guess I was pretty lucky that I did a lot of training in the halves this year, especially through the pre-season.

“Whatever my role is this week, whether I'm training with the reserve grade and sort of opposing the NRL or being with the NRL, I'm happy to do that and I’ll just take it on.

“I guess I'll just attack the week thinking that I'm playing, and we'll see what happens.”

If the Storm call on him to again partner Cameron Munster in the halves, Wishart will go head-to-head with Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary, but the 23-year-old is undaunted by the prospect.