James Tamou

2022 - 8 - 21

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Wests Tigers' skipper James Tamou apologises for outburst at ... (ABC News)

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou fears the suspension he is set to face for his calling referee Ben Cummins 'f****** incompetent' may be enough to end his ...

"It'd be great to go around again but I'm also a bit of a pessimist. "(The referees) do a terrific job. "I've let everyone down. If the time comes to hang up the boots, I'll be a realist and go out and find a job." I've let myself down. He turned his frustrations on Cummins and was sin-binned for dissent in the 79th minute but had his punishment upgraded to a sending-off for calling the referee "f****** incompetent" as he left the field.

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Image courtesy of "NRL.COM"

'I've let everyone down'': Remorseful Tamou fears send-off may end ... (NRL.COM)

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou declared that he had “embarrassed” himself, the club and his family after being sent off for dissent.

It would be a tough way to go out from a game that has given me a lot and that I have dedicated my body to. “I have got to wear that now and wear the criticism. “Again, I have got to be accountable for my actions. That is more the stature of the man than the 300 games. “It obviously wasn’t directed at him but the frustrations got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me. I have got four kids at home and that is how they see their dad act.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

'You are f***ing incompetent': Tigers skipper sent off for abusing ref ... (Fox Sports)

'You are f***ing incompetent': Tigers skipper sent off for abusing ref in record loss.

“Sent off. [Broncos star in doubt for must-win clash after ankle injury](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-casualty-ward-injuries-returns-dates-ins-and-outs-kurt-capewell-broncos-xavier-coates-storm/news-story/ed98079aa49cf13cafef9d9131a13143) [Cheese’s hilarious reaction to flick pass](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-nelson-asofasolomona-flick-pass-brandon-smith-kurt-capewell-try-broncos-vs-storm-craig-bellamy-round-23/news-story/76195ebeb1cedcbe256476eda7609e8e) [lengthy and emotional apology for his behaviour in his post-match press conference.](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-james-tamou-sent-off-ben-cummins-roosters-game-chat-back-what-did-he-say-penalty/news-story/b2c323c9a289d3cbb674adcda5a667ca) Cummins held his ground and told him to “keep going” and a seething Tamou then turned back and continued his march to the sheds. [their worst defeat in club history ](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-sydney-roosters-vs-wests-tigers-live-updates-stream-start-time-teams-supercoach-scores-video/news-story/8a79009b73ceff88f22af731ac3d73f3)when Tamou gave Cummins some unsolicited advice with 60 seconds left.

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

'F***ing incompetent': NRL star explodes (NEWS.com.au)

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou was sin binned then immediately sent off after he gave referee Ben Cummins an extraordinary spray.

“Sent off. “The frustration is at boiling point for the Tigers,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League. “James Tamou has reached the end of his rag and gone out in style,” Smith said. But the referee firmly said “keep going” and Tamou had no choice but to turn around and continue walking off the field. Cummins blew a penalty straight away and sent Tamou to the sin bin, holding up 10 fingers and saying: “You can go”. “He’s now just off, it was 10 and now it’s just off,” commentator Warren Smith said on Fox League.

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Image courtesy of "Sporting News AU"

'I took the easy way out': James Tamou apologises for outburst at ... (Sporting News AU)

The captain had a running battle with referee Ben Cummins in the final few minutes of the one-sided affair. Initially, Tamou was sin-binned for abusing the ...

"It’d be great to go around again, but I’m a bit of a pessimist. I’ve let a lot of people down." "I probably took the easy way out. Initially, Tamou was sin-binned for abusing the official, before he took exception to the veteran's sustained verbal abuse and gave him his marching orders. But an error from Angus Crichton out of dummy half had seemingly turned the ball straight back over to the Tigers. However, Cummins thought otherwise when he motioned that the ball had travelled backwards.

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Image courtesy of "Wide World of Sports"

Tigers skipper's career in balance after send off (Wide World of Sports)

An emotional Wests Tigers captain James Tamou gave a lengthy apology to referee Ben Cummins, after being se...

"The big thing is we need to stay together as a group. "I've let everyone down, I've let myself down. The frustration got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me and I'll wear any criticism, I'll be accountable towards my actions. I've let a lot of people down." READ MORE: "It wasn't obviously directed at him. "We've got to sort of own that a little bit." [but officials are yet to decide whether to give him a new deal or cut him loose](https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/the-mole-wests-tigers-james-tamou-contract-penrith-terrell-may-state-of-origin-reuben-cotter/575aaf56-6924-43fb-9f96-87853896fb62), and said his heart sank when he realised that if he's given a multi-week suspension that it would be the end of his season, and possibly his career. "It'd be a tough way to go for a game that's given me a lot and I've dedicated my body to - but it's just something I'll have to deal with," he said. "I probably took the easy way out instead of shaking their hand and looking them in the eye, I took the easy way out and I've got to wear that now, all week. [Wests Tigers](https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/wests-tigers) captain [James Tamou](https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/james-tamou) gave a lengthy apology to referee Ben Cummins after being sent off in the final minute for dissent, as he now faces the possibility of his NRL career being over. In one of the toughest nights of his career, the prop was sin binned initially before having that upgraded to a send off for spraying Cummins with a volley of swear words and labelling him "incompetent".

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Image courtesy of "The Roar"

LANGUAGE WARNING: James Tamou marched for exploding at ref ... (The Roar)

The Tigers' skipper could be heard calling Ben Cummins "f---ing incompetent" in a horror game for his side. He was initially sin-binned and was…

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

Dejected Tamou apologises, reveals 'heart dropped' after shattering ... (Fox Sports)

An emotional James Tamou has admitted his “heart dropped” the moment he realised his 304-game NRL career could be over due to an ugly send off.

[Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. ](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-ricky-stuart-ban-fine-weakgutted-dog-canberra-raiders-reaction-paul-kent/news-story/db93064148cee917298873e9f9be2009) [Sign up now!!](https://www.foxsports.com.au/newsletter-sign-up?utm_source=NRLArticle&utm_medium=TextLink&utm_campaign=signup) You don’t just turn up to training then go home and switch off. [Panthers confirm shield presentation a week early](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-panthers-minor-premiership-brian-fletcher-jj-giltinan-shield-players-rested-finals-football-nrl-ladder-news-jarome-luai-return-ivan-cleary/news-story/099bde2a51730c0ed6f4680088f0eabb) “But I’ve got to be accountable for my actions. [Feeding frenzy looms for Cowboy; tough night a ‘learning’ curve for Walsh](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-north-queensland-cowboys-vs-warriors-live-updates-stream-start-time-teams-supercoach-score-video/news-story/5f5890a0a892178552b4249aead970f6) [ Cowboys star in hot water over ‘careless’ cannon-ball](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-jeremiah-nanai-cannonball-tackle-addin-fonuablake-on-report-match-review-committee-cowboys-vs-warriors/news-story/b01b2daec3c2a16d4aaaebb028a863ab) [Grant show as sizzling Storm blow Broncos away in 60-point ‘slaughter’](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-brisbane-broncos-vs-melbourne-storm-live-stream-live-blog-supercoach-scores-videos-adam-reynolds-cameron-munster/news-story/d16e0c2fc03a425b70f7b8bd6ee2e58d) [Legends slam woeful Broncos amid ‘harsh reality check’](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-kevin-walters-brisbane-broncos-vs-melbourne-storm-6012-loss-adam-reynolds-round-23/news-story/79e8c5a0de40f73386c90cc9595dc456) [Cheese’s hilarious reaction to flick pass](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-nelson-asofasolomona-flick-pass-brandon-smith-kurt-capewell-try-broncos-vs-storm-craig-bellamy-round-23/news-story/76195ebeb1cedcbe256476eda7609e8e) [Hynes masterclass snaps 14-year hoodoo as Manly hit new low](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-manly-sea-eagles-vs-cronulla-sharks-live-stream-live-blog-supercoach-scores-videos-daly-cherryevans-nicho-hynes/news-story/a08744a9086d473dfa76e0144f86824d) [Tigers skipper sent off for abusing ref in record loss](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-james-tamou-sent-off-ben-cummins-roosters-game-chat-back-what-did-he-say-penalty/news-story/b97026d84a4cb79bb669f74911d7bf96)

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Image courtesy of "New Zealand Herald"

'I've let everybody down': NRL star concedes ref spray could end ... (New Zealand Herald)

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou has conceded a moment of madness could be the final act of his NRL career. Late in his side's 72-6 loss to the Sydney ...

It would be a tough way to go out from a game that has given me a lot and that I have dedicated my body to. "I have got to wear that now and wear the criticism. "I have got to be accountable for my actions. It is just something I will have to deal with. "It obviously wasn't directed at him but the frustrations got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me. It came after Cummins ruled a suspect knock on as having gone backwards and allowed the Roosters to continue the play.

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Tamou faces three-game ban for referee tirade (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The Tigers co-captain could have played his last NRL game after being hit with a charge for a final minute outburst at Ben Cummins.

Tamou’s send off capped a horror night for the Tigers, who were thumped 72-6 in a 12-tries-to-one mauling at the SCG. Tamou immediately fronted the media and apologised for his tirade on Saturday night, in which Cummins originally sin-binned him for dissent, before then sending him off after the “incompetent” remark. James Tamou’s NRL career is on life support as he faces a three-match ban for his expletive-laden

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Wests Tigers James Tamou referee spray could end his NRL career (ESPN)

A remorseful James Tamou is facing a ban that could end his NRL career following his expletive-laden abuse of referee Ben Cummins.

"It'd be great to go around again but I'm also a bit of a pessimist. "(The referees) do a terrific job. If the time comes to hang up the boots, I'll be a realist and go out and find a job." I've let myself down. I've let everyone down. Tamou admitted on Saturday night his "heart dropped" when he realised the incident had the potential to end his career.

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Image courtesy of "ESPN Australia"

Wests Tigers James Tamou referee spray could end his NRL career (ESPN Australia)

A remorseful James Tamou is facing a ban that could end his NRL career following his expletive-laden abuse of referee Ben Cummins.

"It'd be great to go around again but I'm also a bit of a pessimist. "(The referees) do a terrific job. If the time comes to hang up the boots, I'll be a realist and go out and find a job." I've let myself down. I've let everyone down. Tamou admitted on Saturday night his "heart dropped" when he realised the incident had the potential to end his career.

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Image courtesy of "Fox Sports"

Gould makes Tamou plea as Tigers plot contest for season-ending ... (Fox Sports)

Gould makes Tamou plea as Tigers plot contest for season-ending ban.

It was entirely out of character.” He’s expressed remorse and an apology, which is not surprising whatsoever. [Bulldogs’ extreme measures to conceal secret meetings](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-cameron-ciraldo-bulldogs-appointment-phil-gould-bulldogs-secret-meeting-viliame-kikau-photo-leak-matt-burton-contract-extension/news-story/5b53e52d4d07a1e555d39df20c355582) [‘COULDN’T DO ANYTHING BUT LAUGH’: ](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-james-tamou-sent-off-ben-cummins-roosters-game-chat-back-what-did-he-say-penalty/news-story/b97026d84a4cb79bb669f74911d7bf96) [Cheese’s hilarious reaction to flick pass](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-nelson-asofasolomona-flick-pass-brandon-smith-kurt-capewell-try-broncos-vs-storm-craig-bellamy-round-23/news-story/76195ebeb1cedcbe256476eda7609e8e) [Tigers skipper sent off for abusing and cops lengthy ban](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-james-tamou-sent-off-ben-cummins-roosters-game-chat-back-what-did-he-say-penalty/news-story/b97026d84a4cb79bb669f74911d7bf96) [How Latrell inspired Rabbitohs young gun to take abuse to police](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-jaxson-paulo-abuse-social-media-trolls-south-sydney-rabbitohs-loss-latrell-mitchell-racial-abuse-two-men-charged-south-sydney-social-media/news-story/61511a9c04df5d7d7f14b640cd6066a1) [James Tamou’s two-week suspension ](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-wests-tigers-james-tamou-sent-off-ben-cummins-roosters-game-chat-back-what-did-he-say-penalty/news-story/b97026d84a4cb79bb669f74911d7bf96)and Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has called for the NRL to “suspend” the penalty. [The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley isn’t buying it.](https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-tackle-round-23-phil-goulds-bizarre-response-to-james-tamous-fing-incompetent-referee-spray/news-story/cd4b3c2d9ede1b1c05e4bd3fc8ab2ec8) [“heart dropped” when he realised his potential fate.](https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2022-james-tamou-apology-wests-tigers-press-conference-career-over-ban-next-year-2023-suspension-brandon-smith-ben-cummins/news-story/b2c323c9a289d3cbb674adcda5a667ca) While many have explained a two-week sideline stint for calling Cummins “f**king incompetent” is fair, Gould has urged NRL bosses to consider Tamou’s “immediate remorse” and “exemplary career”. “However, NRL should suspend this penalty due to Tamou’s exemplary career, the fact this incident was totally out of character, there is no chance of reoffending, his immediate remorse ‘& apology was sincere.” [SMH.](https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/tamou-faces-three-game-ban-for-referee-tirade-20220821-p5bbib.html) [Start your free trial now >](https://servedby.flashtalking.com/click/7/147292;5439998;50126;211;0/?ft_width=1&ft_height=1&gdpr=&gdpr_consent=&us_privacy=&url=https://kayosports.com.au?marketing=nrl&extcamp=fsaeditoriallinkleague-edt-fsp-lnk-awr-grc-nrl-kyo&channel=fsa&campaign=launch&voucher=) [VIEW ALL SCORES](//foxsports.com.au/score-centre/nrl/nrl-premiership)

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Image courtesy of "Sporting News AU"

James Tamou to challenge grading of contrary conduct charge as ... (Sporting News AU)

James Tamou will challenge the grading of his contrary conduct charge, with the Wests Tigers veteran hoping to play one more game this year.

"It’d be great to go around again, but I’m a bit of a pessimist. [Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell](https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/how-far-can-latrell-mitchell-take-rabbitohs-2022/zrkuhrhqb1cebyrs8kpnjry3) also urged the NRL to allow Tamou to play again this year via Instagram and said even the best players lose their cool sometimes. "It would be a tough way to go.

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Image courtesy of "SPORTbible"

'You are f**king incompetent': James Tamou left 'shattered' as ... (SPORTbible)

The Wests Tigers player was sent off after a wild spray at referee Ben Cummins, with that act likely the final moment of his NRL career.

“But I’ve got to be accountable for my actions. James Tamou is facing a 2-3 week ban for his spray at the referee. Could this be the last time we see him in the NRL? When asked about it potentially being his last act for the Tigers he admitted it was a crushing prospect. He is off contract with the Tigers at the end of the season having just played his 304th game in the league. Wests Tigers captain James Tamou has admitted he is ‘shattered’ at the prospect of his final NRL act being a wild spray at a rugby league official.

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