 Simpkins playing for the Panthers in 2014. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1988-09-20)20 September 1988 (age 37) Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (15 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Lock, Second-row, Hooker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source:[1] As of 5 January 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Father | Robert Simpkins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ryan Simpkins (born 20 September 1988) is an Australian former professionalrugby league footballer who played for thePenrith Panthers andGold Coast Titans in theNational Rugby League. He played as alock, second-row andhooker.
Born inTweed Heads, New South Wales, Simpkins played his junior football for theCurrumbin Eagles,Tugun Seahawks and came up through theTweed Heads Seagulls Colts system before being signed by theGold Coast Titans.[2]
In 2008, Simpkins captained[3] theGold Coast Titans'NYC team[4] before moving on to the Titans'Queensland Cup team,Tweed Heads Seagulls in 2009.
In 2010 and 2011, Simpkins played for theQueensland Residents.
Early in September 2011, Simpkins signed a 1-year contract with thePenrith Panthers starting in 2012.[2]
On 25 September 2011, Simpkins played in the Seagulls'2011 Queensland Cup Grand Final loss to theWynnum Manly Seagulls.[5]
In Round 3 of the2012 NRL season, Simpkins made hisNRL debut for Penrith against theSouth Sydney Rabbitohs.[6]
After coming off the bench for the first six games of his career, Simpkins started atsecond-row against theSt. George Illawarra Dragons and scored his firstNRL try inPenrith's 13-12golden point victory.
On 21 September 2014, Simpkins was named atlock in the 2014NSW Cup Team of the Year.[7]
On 28 September 2014, Simpkins played in Penrith's2014 New South Wales Cup Grand Final win over theNewcastle Knights,[8] also playing in the Panthers'2014 NRL State Championship loss to theNorthern Pride RLFC on 5 October 2014.[9]
On 9 October 2014, Simpkins signed a 2-year contract with theGold Coast Titans to return to his original club starting in 2015.[3]
Simpkins retired from rugby league following the conclusion of the2018 NRL season.[10]
Simpkins is the son of formerSouth Sydney Rabbitohs,Sydney Roosters andGold Coast Chargers playerRobert Simpkins.[11]