Steve Simpson is regarded as one of the most honest forwards in the game, a tireless worker with a non-stop motor and the ability to play front or back row.

Simpson began his first grade career with Newcastle in 1999 and two years later he made his representative debut for Country Origin and helped the Knights win a premiership.

Simpson translated his club form to the representative arena and only injury stopped him adding to his NSW appearances in 2003 and 2004.

Even though he missed the 2003 Origin series, national selectors showed their faith in the Novocastrian by selecting him for the end-of-season Kangaroo tour.

Simpson was among Australia’s best as they overcame the loss of several key players to retain the Ashes.

In 2004, injury again cruelled Simpson’s season but he bounced back in 2005 to appear in all three games of the State of Origin series, helping NSW defend its title.

Injury again cost him when the Tri Nations squad was selected but Simpson remains one of the game’s elite forwards, a fact born out by his selection in the NSW sides in 2006 and 2007.

His standing at the Knights resulted in him being named one of the club's co-captains in '07 and he continues to lead the young Newcastle side with distinction.