Pretend Simone nicknamed you "Tardy" (8)

I believe the answer is:

simulate

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'pretend' is the definition.
(I know that simulate is a more specific form of pretend)

'nicknamed you tardy' is the wordplay.
'nicknamed' becomes 'sim' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'you' becomes 'u' (homophones).
'tardy' becomes 'late' (synonyms).
'sim'+'u'+'late'='SIMULATE'

'simone' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. It may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for simulate that I've seen before include "Imitate form or conditions of" , "Imitate, model" , "Imitate, reproduce" , "pretend" , "Assume" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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