Simpkins lets his actions speak for him

By CRAIG TIRIANA
Ngarimu Simpkins's refusal to discuss his own barnstorming form said a thousand words for the Whakarewarewa hooker's attitude this season.
His side had just ended Mount Maunganui's unbeaten run in 2005 with an emphatic 23-9 win at Puarenga Park in Rotorua on Saturday.
Simpkins had a storming game, leading a ferocious Whakarewarewa tight five, which outgrunted the Baywide premier competition leaders in a physical affair.
He lavished praise on his teammates but when the subject turned to him and his on-field battle with Mount Maunganui's new Bay of Plenty signing John Pareanga, the former Steamer fended off the question. "No comment on that," he said, confirming he's focusing on letting his on-field performances do the talking.
"For me, probably a big lesson I've learned is I want to play as a team and I've really enjoyed being here and for me it was just a big team effort," said Simpkins who played for the champion Whakatane Marist side last season.
Simpkins has played 23 games for the Bay, serving as backup to Aleki Lutui in recent seasons but was replaced by Pareanga this year.
"(I) Definitely want to play for the Bay. I'm here to stake a claim and tell all the selectors I'm still here basically," Simpkins said.
He had a feeling Whakarewarewa were going to produce a big effort against Mount.
The normally smooth running Mount outfit showed cracks.
Rotoiti proved they were susceptible up front three weeks ago and Whakarewarewa reinforced that feeling with vigour.
Mount were put off their pattern and had to rely on Michael Delany's boot for their points.
"It was always going to be hard-out against the Mount, they've set the standard all season," Simpkins said.
"We showed when we pick our intensity up and want to win we can beat any team."
A loss could have seen Whakarewarewa's semifinal chances extinguished.
The victory was built on commitment and passion, which had been further ignited by the late decision of the Bay of Plenty Steamers management to stand down Nili Latu from the game, despite him being named on Thursday.
However Dan Hathaway wore the No 7 jersey with distinction.
To add fuel to the Rotorua-based conspiracy theorists, who believe some Western Bay clubs are favoured by the union, the Mount had Super 12 players Kevin Senio and Colin Bourke appearing alongside seven prospective or current Steamers as they tried to stage a comeback in the second half. But there was no way back after Whakarewarewa - their forward pack outstanding - scored two tries, one each to Garrick Cowley and Simpkins, and led 20-6 at halftime with five eight Eruera Haimona converting both and adding two telling penalties.
Cowley and Simpkins have been among the most potent finishers in the competition and both have now chalked up 12 tries this season.
The honours definitely went to the Whakarewarewa pack with Pareanga being sent off by referee Mat Peters for stomping midway through the second spell.
Whakarewarewa also lost a man but only for 10 minutes in the last quarter with Gillies getting a yellow card for tripping.
He came back on to help an outstanding defensive effort that shut Mount out.