NRL 2020: Panthers skipper James Tamou on captaining premiership smokey; heading to Wests Tigers
James Tamou admits to having learned ‘hard lessons’ as an NRL captain, especially from one particular player, while also having strong opinions on his surprise pick to replace him next year.
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Penrith captain James Tamou is urging the Panthers to appoint workaholic backrower Isaah Yeo to the proud list of club captains, including Greg Alexander, Royce Simmons and Craig Gower.
Tamou, who is joining Wests Tigers next year, has also opened up on the challenges of leading rugby league’s new unstoppable force into the finals.
Tamou also admitted to struggling with the Panthers captaincy role during a tough 2019, but is now on the cusp of leading the surprise minor premiers all the way to an NRL grand final.
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“When I took the job on initially, I didn’t realise how many responsibilities a captain has,” Tamou revealed.
“Even having played at North Queensland under guys like Matt Scott and Johnathan Thurston, I didn’t exactly know all the things they were doing off the field.
“Just took it for granted. So I’ve learned some hard lessons.
“There were even times last year, during stoppages in play, where Jimmy Maloney would come up telling me to get into the ref for something that happened three or four plays ago.
“I’d say ‘what happened?’. But then this year, I definitely wanted the opportunity again.
“So in pre-season, I made it known that I wanted to be captain. That I wanted to show the lessons I’d learned and display those throughout this year.”
Yet given Tamou will be heading to Wests Tigers from next season, which of the current Panthers crop does he feel should replace him?
“I think Isaah Yeo,” he said.
“This year he’s really gone up in terms of leadership.
“But it could be Nathan, too.
“He currently makes the calls when I’m off the field. And being halfback, he oversees our game plan and is obviously playing unreal, too.
“I know the boys look up to him.
“Even those boys who have come right through with Nathan and played with him growing up, they still look up to him.
“And that’s what a leader should do.”
Tamou added that Cleary’s form on field was a direct result of the increased responsibilities assumed inside Panthers Academy.
“Nathan has gone to another level this year,” the captain said.
“I know he had a few mishaps early in the year, but that’s all a part of the learning curve and he has learnt from that.
“He’s just getting better and the boys are feeding off that.
“Even the younger guys like Jarome Luai, he takes their game to another level. It’s massive what he has done for the team.”
Quizzed on the biggest change Cleary had made this year, Tamou continued: “Realising he needs to direct this team and let his voice be heard.
“Obviously it was hard last year with Jimmy Maloney – he was the leader.
“But with Jimmy going, it’s given Nathan room to come through. And he has.”
Asked about his switch to Wests Tigers, Tamou said he was buoyed by the efforts of the club’s young forwards at different stages this year.
“They’ve got a young powerful pack,” he said. “Guys like Zane Musgrove and Josh Aloiai.
“Harry Grant had a really good start to the year and I think it was on the back of their forwards.
“Take nothing away from Harry, he’s a great player. But the hooker needs time and space … and they have a good, young crew (who provide that).”