James Tamou has revealed he has overhauled his game to threaten opposition defences

JAMES Tamou has revealed he has overhauled his game to threaten opposition defences and help the Cowboys break the worst road record in the NRL.

The North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Cowboys James Tamou. Picture: Zak Simmonds

TEST prop James Tamou has revealed he has overhauled his game to threaten opposition defences and help the Cowboys break the worst road record in the NRL.

With front-row cohort Matt Scott (cheekbone) still sidelined, the Cowboys are banking on Tamou to keep their finals hopes alive against Cronulla tonight at Remondis Stadium.

And the towering Cowboys prop is responding to the challenge, finetuning his offensive game to reduce the risk of becoming a one-dimensional defensive target.

Tamou showcased some rarely seen skill against Souths last month, mixing up his traditional midfield charges with ball-playing before the line and offloads in traffic.

Cowboy James Tamou tackles Rabbitoh Sam Burgess.

The 25-year-old’s Australia jumper for October’s Four Nations is in jeopardy after a quiet Origin series and admits he is working overtime to become a more potent player.

“I was being targeted a bit by defenders, so I spoke to the (Cowboys) coaching staff about my game,’’ Tamou said.

“I basically told them I was getting three or four defenders on me every time I get the ball so I’m working on ways to help myself and the side as a result.

“If I can use the ball a bit I’m not as predictable and it can attract some defenders and open up gaps for the boys out wide.

“Beating a side like Souths shows our ability but the big test for us as a side is winning away from home.

NSW's James Tamou during game 3 of the 2014 Origin series.

“If we start winning away, we can be a real threat in this competition.’’

Currently 12th, the Cowboys’ next fortnight will largely decide their finals fate. They are just one win adrift of the top eight and back-to-back away wins over Cronulla and Canterbury will catapult them into playoffs contention.

North Queensland have lost all eight matches on the road this season, but coach Paul Green is confident his side can surge home with the Origin campaign behind them.

The Cowboys enjoyed a bye weekend last week and have received a boost with utility Ray Thompson returning from injury for the Sharks showdown.

“It’s good to get a few guys back and hopefully we can finish with a bang now,’’ Green said.

“All the boys appreciated a bit of time off, at this time of year most blokes are carrying a few niggling injuries so the extended break helps.

Johnathan Thurston and James Tamou embrace after winning a clash against the Rabbitohs.

“We are in a position now where we need to win a few games, we are just one win out of the eight, it shows you how congested the competition is.’’

Green said he is not hitting the panic button over his side’s dismal away record.

“We’re not doing anything different, we will prepare as well as we can for the Sharks,’’ he said.

“Origin is out of the way now, so we need to get some consistency ... given we are coming into the back end of the year we need to get some wins.’’