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GERRINGONG’S Ashton Sims looks set for another massive year on the rugby league field after being named as the Toronto Wolfpack’s vice-captain ahead of the 2018 Championship season. Sims, 32, will help lead the club, along with skipper Josh McCrone, in their first season in England’s second-tier rugby league competition. Fiji international Sims linked up with his new team mates just before Christmas, having played in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, and has made an instant impression with his confident and commanding presence around training. Having signed from English Super League giants Warrington Wolves, ending a two year spell that included a Challenge Cup final and grand final appearance, Sims has achieved feats at the very top of the sport. His fearlessness and natural leadership in the middle of the field makes him the perfect player to support McCrone. Sims is excited about the prospect of leading the club in the build up to what should be a huge season for the Wolfpack, and is confident of setting a good example for some of the club’s younger members. “To know I have the support of the coaching staff and the players is something I hold in high regard, so this is a huge honour,” Sims told the Toronot Wolfpack site. “Any experience I can pass on to some of the younger players, I’d be more than happy to do so. “I want the players to know that whatever happens I always have their back on and off the field.” Wolfpack head coach Paul Rowley was very happy with his new leadership duo, explaining that together they provide the perfect balance of qualities to guide the side for 2018. “Josh McCrone is a very eloquent and strong communicator,” Rowley said. “What he says is final and if there is any breakdown in play he gives clarity to the rest of the group quickly and precisely. “He gives the players a solution and instructions on how to move forward and he’s really stepped up to the mark this week. “Ashton is one of a number of leaders within the team who leads with his actions and is very vocal too. “He plays long minutes and speaks common sense off the field as well as being very strong and enthusiastic on it and I want him to have the freedom to display that for us this season. “Both of them are a good partnership. “They are both strong and make tough decision and they have really shown these qualities at this camp. “The other players fully support that these are the two best players to lead this group.”

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