NRL 2022: Tigers skipper James Tamou seeking downgrade in bid to play again this season

James Tamou is not giving up hope of playing again this season despite an almighty spray at referee Ben Cummins that led to his marching orders.

James Tamou is seeking a downgrade for a tirade towards referee Ben Cummins. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou will roll the dice at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night in a bid to play again this season after he was sent off in the final minute of Saturday’s record breaking loss to the Roosters.

The usually cool and composed captain was originally sin binned for dissent but referee Ben Cummins upgraded that to a send off after Tamou called him “f---ing incompetent”.

It capped a horror night for the Tigers, who were belted 72-6 and look set to claim the club’s first wooden spoon.

Tamou was charged with grade 3 contrary conduct for his foul-mouthed tirade and was looking at two weeks on the sidelines, which would have meant his season was over.

The veteran, who doesn’t have a deal for next year, will plead guilty to the charge but is seeking a downgrade in a bid to play again this season.

He has received support from Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, who says Tamou’s clean record should be taken into account.

Wests Tigers skipper James Tamou gets his marching orders. Picture: NRL Imagery

“I apologise for my actions towards Ben Cummins,” Tamou said after Saturday’s game.

“They (the referees) do a terrific job.

“It wasn’t directed at him. The frustration got the better of me and the emotions got the better of me.

“I’ll wear any criticism. I’ll be accountable for my actions. The actions aren’t acceptable towards the jersey, the club and the players.

“I probably took the easy way out instead of shaking their hands and looking them in the eye. I’ve got to wear that all week.

“I’ve got four kids at home and that’s how they’re going to see how their dad acted. I’ve let everyone down. I’ve let myself down. I’m embarrassed and I’ve let a lot of people down.

Meanwhile, Canberra’s hopes of sneaking into the finals have received a major boost, with Josh Papalii not charged for a shoulder charge in the dying minutes of Sunday’s comeback win over the Knights.

The representative front-rower was placed on report in the final two minutes for the shot on Knights rookie Krystian Mapapalangi but escaped sanction from the match review committee, which means he’s free to play this weekend.

It’s a huge sigh of relief for the Green Machine who must win their remaining two games to have any chance of scraping into the top eight.

The Raiders need Josh Papalii on the field if they want to play finals footy. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The news wasn’t so good for the Dragons, with three players charged out of their big win over the Titans.

Francis Molo is facing a lengthy ban after he was sent off for an ugly high shot on Patrick Herbert.

This is his third charge of the season and he’s looking at a 4-5 week ban for his grade 3 careless high tackle that knocked Herbert out of the game.

Teammate Moses Mbye may have also played his last game of 2022 after he was hit with a grade 2 careless high tackle charge in the first minute of the game that went unpunished on the field.

Phillip Sami was clearly affected by the tackle and did not return, which caused major disruptions to the Titans’ backline.

Mbye came off with a hamstring injury, so he may not have played again this season anyway, while teammate Josh McGuire is free to play and can accept a $1000 fine for a dangerous contact charge in the first minute of Sunday’s match.

Originally published as NRL 2022: Tigers skipper James Tamou seeking downgrade in bid to play again this season