Bailey Simonsson
Bailey George Simonsson (born 18 February 1998) is a New Zealand Māori international rugby league footballer who plays as a er for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. Background. Simonsson was born in Mona Vale, New South Wales, Australia. He is of Māori heritage through his father and European heritage through his mother. His father Paul was a representative rugby union player before a brief career in rugby league with the North Sydney Bears. Playing career. Early career. Simonsson played for the Canberra Raiders in the Harold Matthews Cup (under 16s), later joining the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to  play S. G. Ball Cup (under 18s) and NYC (under 20s) until 2017. Switch to rugby union. In 2018, Simonsson represented the New Zealand rugby 7s team at the tournaments in Hong Kong, London, and Paris. Return to rugby league. Simonsson signed with the Canberra Raiders in December 2018. He made his first grade debut in Round 1 of the 2019 NRL season against the Gold Coast Titans scoring a try in a 21-0 victory. In Round 20 against the New Zealand Warriors, Simonsson scored 2 tries as Canberra won the match 46-12 at Mount Smart Stadium. In  the 2019 qualifying final, Simonsson scored a try as Canberra staged a shock 12-10 victory over minor premiers Melbourne at AAMI Park to secure a home preliminary final. Simonsson played from the bench in the 2019 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters in which Canberra were defeated 14-8 at ANZ Stadium. It was Canberra's first grand final appearance in 25 years. Simonsson suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against Melbourne at GIO Stadium in round 9 of the 2020 NRL season after which he underwent surgery and spent the rest of the season in rehabilitation. In  round 22 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored a hat-trick in Canberra's 26-16 loss against Melbourne. On 10 December 2021, Simonsson signed a three-year deal to join Parramatta starting in the 2022 NRL season. In round 1 of the 2022 NRL season, he made his club debut for Parramatta in their 32-28 victory over the Gold Coast.