West Tigers star James Tamou to appeal suspension for explosive foul-mouthed spray at NRL referee
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Tigers star to appeal suspension for explosive foul-mouthed spray at NRL ref – despite saying he’d be ‘accountable for his actions’ and set a good example for his children
- James Tamou was sent off in the club’s 72-6 flogging by the Sydney Roosters
- He was initially sin-binned, but swore at the ref and called him ‘incompetent’Ā
- At the time, Tamou said he would accept any punishment handed down to him
- Now he is appealing for leniency in a bid to play one last game for Wests TigersĀ
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The Wests Tigers will rely on skipper James Tamou’s clean history and good character when they appeal his suspension for abusing NRL referee Ben Cummins on Saturday.
Frustrations got the better of the premiership-winning captain with the North Queensland Cowboys in the 72-6 flogging at the hands of the Sydney Roosters.
He was initially sin-binned by Cummins, but when Tamou turned to the official and called him ‘f***ing incompetent’ he was given his marching orders.
Tamou is given his marching orders by NRL referee Ben Cummins for his foul-mouthed spray
Tamou faces a two-match ban with an early guilty plea, which could effectively end his career. The Tigers prop is not signed by any club for 2023 and at 34, retirement could be knocking on his door.
In a bid to ensure Tamou gets a final send-off match with the Tigers, the club is hoping to roll the dice at the NRL judiciary and have his sanction reduced.
If the club fails, Tamou will get a three-match ban and – with the Tigers ruled out of the 2022 finals series – he will be unlikely to play for the club in the NRL again.
‘I apologise for my actions towards Ben Cummins,’ Tamou said after Saturday’s game.
‘They (the referees) do a terrific job.
‘It wasn’t directed at him. The frustration got the better of me and the emotions got the better of me.’
James Tamou with wife Brittney Tamou. The Tigers captain has admitted he wants to set a better example for the couple’s four children
At the time, Tamou said he would accept any punishment handed out to him and acknowledged that he needed to be a strong role model for children – especially his own.Ā
‘I’ll wear any criticism. I’ll be accountable for my actions. The actions aren’t acceptable towards the jersey, the club and the players,’ he said.
‘I probably took the easy way out instead of shaking their hands and looking them in the eye. I’ve got to wear that all week.
‘I’ve got four kids at home and that’s how they’re going to see how their dad acted. I’ve let everyone down. I’ve let myself down. I’m embarrassed and I’ve let a lot of people down.’
Tamou will also have support fromĀ Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould who will provide a statement on Tamou’s character and integrity throughout his long NRL career.
‘2-3 week ban for Tamouās outburst is appropriate. Must be discouraged. However, NRL should suspend this penalty due to Tamouās exemplary career, the fact this incident was totally out of character, there is no chance of re-offending, his immediate remorse ā& apology was sincere,’ Gould tweeted.
James Tamou collects the game ball after playing 300 NRL games across an illustrious career
However former Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen disagreed with his Channel Nine contemporary, saying ‘if you do the crime you’ve got to do the time’.
‘Phil Gould said Tamou’s suspension should be suspended, because of his exemplary career and immediate remorse and apology. Much as I like James and I’m sympathetic to the situation he’s in, that idea is just crazy,’ he wrote for Wide World of Sports.
‘You can’t just let someone off because they’re a good bloke and they’re at the end of their career.’