An emotional James Tamou has admitted his “heart dropped” the moment he realized his 304-game NRL career could be over because of an ugly sending-off.
Wests Tigers skipper Tamou was sent off for abusing referee Ben Cummins in the latter stages of the club’s worst ever defeat on Saturday night.
The Tigers were hammered 72-6 by the Roosters and Tamou was denounced for calling Cummins an “incompetent f—er” after missing a hit.
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Tamou is out of contract at the end of the season and with just two games to play could see them suspended.
If Taou serves a similar ban to Storm star Brandon Smith, who served three games for calling referee Adam Gee a “cheating stick” last month, his NRL career is likely to be over.
“Yeah, I didn’t think about it until someone mentioned it and my heart dropped,” Tamou said in his post-match press conference.
“But I have to be responsible for my actions. It would be a tough road, for a game that has given me so much and dedicated my body to it, so yes, it’s something I’ll have to deal with- me”.
Tamou, who insisted on facing the media, used his initial comments to issue an impassioned apology.
“First of all I apologize for my actions towards Ben Cummins, they do a fantastic job,” he said.
“The frustrations got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me. I will take any criticism and answer for my actions.
“The actions are not acceptable with the shirt, the club, the players who are testing their backs.
“I took the easy way out and I have to put up all week, take the criticism, I have four children at home and so they will see how their father acts.
Wests Tigers captain James Tamou is sent off.Source: FOX SPORTS
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“So I will carry the criticism all week, I have to answer for my actions because the actions are not acceptable and I have let everyone down.
“I’m disappointed, I’m ashamed. I’ve let a lot of people down.
“Instead of looking in the mirror and being responsible, I did it with the wrong people and again, this is taking the easy way out. I’m obviously devastated.”
Tamou promised that Cummins would apologize after his press conference.
The premiership-winning forward said he wants to play next year but is “realistic” about his NRL prospects.
“It’s a great game, I love this game and I give it my all, and no matter how much you play, it’s one of those games where you can’t walk away and think you’ve done everything because you’ll be left behind,” Tamou said.
Wests Press Conference | 09:42
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“You always have to be a student of the game and I feel like I’m still learning and that’s what I love about the game.
“You give everything to this game. You don’t just go to training and then go home and switch off. You’re a 24-hour player, you go home, you recover, you eat, I love everything about it.
“I love putting my body into it, I’ve done it for so long and it would be great to go back, but I’m also a bit pessimistic and if the time comes I have to hang up. I’ll be realistic and go out looking for work.”
Interim Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley said it was “extremely difficult” to see Tamou hurt but praised the veteran for owning up to his behaviour.
“Jimmy was the first person to raise his hand and say I want to come do the press conference and be in charge,” Kimmorley said.
“This is more the size of the man than the 300 games, he is a great person. He said I’m going to go in front of them and raise my hand and he’s done very well to be strong enough to do that.”
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