Tariq Sims has leapt to the defence of Josh Reynolds, saying he did not believe the Canterbury five-eighth tripped him during Sunday's City-Country clash in Wagga Wagga.
Reynolds was put on report twice in his City side's 34-22 loss to Country in a match that put his NSW No.6 jersey in serious jeopardy.
As well as being reported for striking Country fullback David Mead, he was also cited for allegedly tripping Sims in the lead-up to the Newcastle back-rower's try in the 51st minute.
Reynolds will come under scrutiny from the NRL match review committee and will miss State of Origin I if he is rubbed out for more than two weeks.
The 26-year-old could face a lengthy suspension after he was last year suspended for a similar incident on Ben Barba and any tripping charge will attract a 50 per cent loading.
However Sims declared there was nothing in the incident and that he didn't feel Reynolds make contact with his legs.
"Personally I didn't even feel it," Sims told AAP.
"I don't think anything should happen. He didn't mean to do it, it's just one of those reaction things.
"He's a competitor, I know where he's coming from. He doesn't want anything to get past him.
"Personally I don't think anything was in it."
City coach and NSW great Brad Fittler said Reynolds needed to change his playing style and control his aggression.
"He throws everything at it and sometimes what comes up with that isn't always the best," Fittler said.
"Like that bit of a trip. We didn't get the replays of that but Josh has got to learn to control that.
"Sometimes all of that effort isn't put in the right direction. He's wholehearted. You can't knock him for that."
Share
