Tim Simona

Simona joined the Wests Tigers first grade squad in 2011. In Round 13, he made an "impressive NRL debut"[3] against the Newcastle Knights at centre in the Tigers 17-16 win at Leichhardt Oval.[4]

Simona playing for the Wests Tigers

Simona played 3 first-grade games in 2012. He was a member of the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers side that lost the NSW Cup grand final the Newtown Jets.[5][6]

Starting the season in NSW Cup, Simona returned to first grade in Round 8 after injuries to Blake Ayshford and Chris Lawrence[7] and spent the rest of the season playing either wing or centre. In Round 13 Simona scored his first NRL career try against the Penrith Panthers in the Tigers 20-18 win at Penrith Stadium.[8] On 18 July, he re-signed with the Tigers to the end of 2015.[9] Simona finished the year as the Tigers highest try-scorer with 12 tries in 17 matches. At the end of the season, Simona underwent an operation on his shoulder that was expected to see him out of action for some months.[10] Simona had been selected for New Zealand's 2013 World Cup side, but declined in order to better prepared for the 2014 season.[11]

Simona on media duty for the Wests Tigers

In April, Simona was named for Samoa against Fiji in the Pacific Rugby League International match, a qualifier for the 2014 Four Nations, but was later ruled out with suspension and replaced by St George Illawarra Dragons player Peter Mata'utia.[12] Simona finished off the year with him playing in 14 matches and scoring 3 tries. On 25 October, Simona made his international debut for Samoa against England at Suncorp Stadium, playing at fullback in Samoa’s 32-26 loss.[13] He played in 3 matches and scored 1 try throughout the Four Nations.

On 23 January, Simona was named in the Tigers Auckland Nines squad.[14] He started the regular season by scoring 3 tries and setting up 6 more in the first 7 rounds. In May, he played at halfback for Samoa against Tonga in the Polynesian Cup, and suffered an ankle injury during the match. He ended the season with 5 tries and 10 try-assists from a personal-best 20 appearances.[15]

Simona again started the pre-season playing in the Auckland Nines.[16] On 7 May, Simona played fullback for Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup, winning 18-6.[17] He made a career-best 21 appearances for Wests Tigers, scoring 7 tries, but admitted to being disappointed with his form. "I spoke one-on-one with my coach, and he told me that I'd had a pretty good year, but I just know for myself as a player that I've got plenty more to prove," he said.[18]

Simona was officially de-registered by the NRL on 10 March, after the NRL integrity unit found that he had breached the rules of the league by betting on NRL games. NRL CEO Todd Greenberg declared: "it is very hard to imagine that Tim Simona will be registered with the NRL at any time in the future".[19] On 11 July 2017, Simona was given an 18 month good behaviour bond by Campbelltown local court. Simona was facing up to two years in jail for his role in selling signed jerseys for auction but taking the proceeds for himself which he then used for gambling and drug use purposes.[20][21] On 4 December 2017, it was revealed that Simona was attempting to resurrect his career in England with Hull Kingston Rovers, and The Toronto Wolfpack showing interest in signing the player. But both clubs were told Simona's contract could not be registered as he failed to meet the eligibility requirements.[22]

In June, Penrith general manager Phil Gould formally approached the NRL about the player getting clearance to be a welfare officer in the NRL community outreach program. Gould spoke to the media saying “Regardless of any future opportunity to return to the NRL, Tim is doing his best to make up for his mistakes of the past". Former teammate Beau Ryan said to the media “People have got very short memories which is good and bad. I believe at some stage he does need a second chance. “Whether that’s playing? Probably not, to be honest, I can’t see him playing on the field again".[23][24]

On 13 January, it was reported that Simona was preparing a formal bid to overturn his indefinite ban from the game. It was revealed that Simona was preparing to meet with the Rugby League Players Association. On July 4, the NRL approved his application to return to the game, for Blacktown, the feeder club for the Manly-Warringah Sea-Eagles[25] On 13 July, Simona returned to the field for the first time in over 2 years as Blacktown defeated South Sydney 30-22 at ANZ Stadium in the Canterbury Cup NSW competition.[26][27]

He signed with French Elite One Championship club Lézignan Sangliers for the 2019-2020 season.[28]