James Tamou shoots down reports he’ll quit Cowboys to move to Sydney

JAMES Tamou says he will see his Cowboys contract out, dismissing speculation he wants to return to Sydney.

North Queensland Cowboys v Newcastle Knights from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Cowboys James Tamou. Picture: Zak Simmonds

JAMES Tamou says he will see his Cowboys contract out, dismissing speculation he wants to return to Sydney.

While Tamou has shot down talk he wants out the fact remains that rival NRL coaches have been told the giant prop could be available for 2016.

NRL clubs have been told Tamou wants to move to Sydney, where he spent his teenage years, for the sake of his partner’s athletics career. The reports mystified Tamou who had his best game in 18 months in the Cowboys’ golden point win over Melbourne.

On Monday the Cowboys take on another top four contender in the Panthers as they make their first trip to Sydney.

Asked if he was considering leaving the Cowboys, Tamou was blunt.

“Not at all,” he replied.

“I have no idea (about moving to Sydney).

“Some people seem to know more than I do about my life.

“I have no idea what is going on there.”

Tamou rubbished rumours he’s asked for a release from the Cowboys. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Tamou has also revealed he is suffering neck pain after every match and it is a condition he will have to persevere with through the rest of his career.

Tamou is contracted at the Cowboys until the end of next year on around $650,000 a season.

He is among the highest-paid props in the game.

Last Monday he finally started playing like it but it comes at a cost as he requires constant rehabilitation of a neck injury he had major surgery on in the off-season.

His front-row partner Matt Scott has also been plagued by back injuries through his career but has been able to become the best front-rower in the game through constant rehabilitation.

Tamou said his neck was not an excuse for underperforming in the opening three rounds.

James Tamou says he’s finally regained confidence after recovering from a neck injury.

“I needed that game, that feeling, for my confidence after major surgery,” he said.

“I came off feeling good in my body.

“To be part of that run on squad does a lot. I want to repay Greeny back with some good hard charges up the middle.

“Greeny was trying to get it in my head that I am 115kg and I will be hard to stop and I have to run hard and straight and skittle some blokes.”

Tamou said he wasn’t too concerned about continuing his Origin career for the Blues and had no idea if his opening rounds coming off the bench meant he was no longer on Laurie Daley’s mind.

“Starting on the bench, I expected that. I actually thought I would play more games in the Queensland Cup,” he said.

“Origin ... that might come down the road but I am just trying to play good footy.

“We are only a few rounds in. It will be in the back of my mind but right now I am just focusing on myself.”

Originally published as James Tamou shoots down reports he’ll quit Cowboys to move to Sydney