North Queensland Cowboys chafing at gruelling travel schedule

NSW prop James Tamou is in the thick of an unprecedented itinerary that allows just four nights in his own bed in Townsville over 34 days.

Cowboys flights graphic

JAMES Tamou was tackling yet another all-you-can-eat Crowne Plaza buffet when we caught up with him last night.

And that's no surprise, given the NSW prop is in the thick of an unprecedented itinerary that allows just four nights in his own bed in Townsville over 34 days.

Between North Queensland's Round 10 clash in Newcastle and Origin II in Sydney, Tamou has been booked into seven different hotel rooms across the Eastern Seaboard.

The 20,000km odyssey is connected by 13 separate flights, all of which require his 194cm frame to be jammed into an economy seat.

"That's the most annoying part - the flying," Tamou said. "I try to get emergency exit rows, but when I can't I've just got to get up and walk around the plane to stretch my legs."

The club's Maroon trio of Johnathan Thurston, Brent Tate and Matt Scott are sharing Tamou's pain, although Queensland's briefer camps have given them an extra two nights of domestic bliss over the same period.

It might sound silly, but there does happen to be a silver lining.

All four will accumulate roughly 15,000 Frequent Flyer points. That's about one point for every dollar they'll pocket after expenses and superannuation during this year's Origin series - further evidence the game's elite are underpaid for marquee matches.

"I can see how it would be tough for players with a family, but luckily I'm single," Tamou counters. "And I'm not much of a cook. At least with the buffet I've got some salads ... otherwise I'd be doing up a plain old steak or something."

Last night's fare was taken on the Gold Coast, where the Cowboys have set up camp for the past four days to cut down on flying time.

"We had a short turnaround from our game (against the Tigers) in Sydney last Sunday, so we thought it was best to come straight here and prepare for the Titans (tonight)," football manager Peter Parr said. "Our rep players have had to do a lot of travel, so we are mindful of that."

But Parr doesn't believe the NRL are mindful of their welfare. He and fellow Cowboys officials are fuming about the scheduling of their round 15 clash against Brisbane - on a Friday night just 48 hours after Origin II.

"We would've preferred a game in Sydney that weekend, rather than have our marquee home game marred by player welfare concerns," Parr said.

"It's ridiculous to have the four boys fly back to Townsville after an Origin game and then expect them to back up the following night.

"And given it's our biggest game of the year, I can't see any of them putting their hands up to be rested.

"We made requests to NRL, but it doesn't seem to make any difference."

The Titans will be looking for their first home win in five matches, a task made more difficult because the Cowboys are thoroughly acclimatised.

"The home (ground) advantage hasn't worked for us this year, so we're not relying on that," Titans prop Luke Bailey said.

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