James Tamou already impressed with Penrith’s young guns

HIGH profile recruit James Tamou won’t accept anything other than a title for Penrith in 2017 as he stepped out as a Panther for the first time this week.

James Tamou enjoys his second training session with Penrith. Picture: Dave Swift

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HIGH profile recruit James Tamou won’t accept anything other than a title for Penrith in 2017 as he stepped out as a Panther for the first time this week.

Tamou had just finished his second pre-season training session with the Panthers and declared that the main goal is: “Winning a premiership”.

That’s all the NSW State of Origin prop will accept from his new club, which not only has the best young talent in the NRL, but has locked away the vast majority of its stars for a number of seasons.

James Tamou had high hopes on arrival at Penrith. Picture: Dave Swift

The next four seasons is Penrith’s window of opportunity and a world-class prop like Tamou is the missing piece of the puzzle.

“I’ve been excited for a while and it’s good to be here,” Tamou said.

“From what I saw last season there’s only room to grow and it’s started already.

“I’ve watched a couple of video sessions and it’s been good to watch what the boys can produce.”

The 27-year-old is in his prime, but he still got a good working over at training by some of the other Penrith forwards, including Leilani Latu, which impressed Tamou, who is a big fan on Penrith’s pack.

“I’m looking forward to playing with big Carty [Bryce Cartwright]. He’s impressive and I was a little upset he wasn’t considered for the Four Nations tour,” he said.

“I remember watching a game Regan Campbell-Gillard ran straight at Junior Paulo from the drop out and flattened him. I hadn’t seen anything like that.”

“There’s two things I remember from that. I said ‘don’t run at him’ and ‘make sure you’re on his team’, so I’m pretty excited to be playing with him.

“They’re young and resilient and I want to find another level too.”

Mitch Rein in action for his new club on Tuesday. Picture: Dave Swift.

Meanwhile, fellow new recruit Mitch Rein said he was looking forward to being part of Penrith’s attractive style of play.

“Last season [at St George] wasn’t very enjoyable, attacking-wise...it was pretty boring,” Rien said.

“Coming here to an attacking side is going to be enjoyable.”