James Tamou says the Cowboys are primed to end their derby curse at Suncorp Stadium

JAMES Tamou has revealed how ceasing to be a carbon copy of Petero Civoniceva has him primed to break the Cowboys’ four-year derby curse at Suncorp Stadium.

Cowboys James Tamou during round 3 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and Sydney Roosters at 1300 Smiles Stadium on Thursday, March 17, 2016. (AAP Image/Michael Chambers) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

JAMES Tamou has revealed how ceasing to be a carbon copy of Petero Civoniceva has him primed to break the Cowboys’ four-year derby curse at Suncorp Stadium.

North Queensland may run out on Friday night as defending premiers, but it has been 1478 days since the Cowboys last triumphed over the Broncos on Suncorp soil.

Underlining the Suncorp hoodoo, the Cowboys’ most recent win at the ground in 2012 was orchestrated by Matt Bowen, who retired from the NRL three seasons ago.

But Tamou is hellbent on ending the Suncorp drought as he prepares to take on Broncos bookends Adam Blair and Josh McGuire buoyed by the best effort of his NRL career.

The Test enforcer charged for a whopping 238 metres against the Roosters last week, the most productive running output of his 148-game career spanning seven years.

Tamou once tried to run like legendary Broncos prop Civoniceva to protect a serious neck problem, but the Cowboys prop has hit record numbers after overhauling his hit-up style.

“I’m pretty happy with that stat, I didn’t realise I could make so many metres in one game,” Tamou said.

“Because of my neck injuries, I changed to a more side-on style similar to big Petero.

“I used to watch Petero hit the defensive line side-on, so I thought I would try and copy him, but with the side-on contact you risk contact to other parts of your body.

Cowboys’ James Tamou takes on the Roosters defence.

“I found by getting hit side-on, my neck would get crunched and my entire left side would go numb and I’d have to come off.

“Now, I’ve changed to my running style to hitting the line facing forward and it’s had a massive impact on my momentum and getting through the line.

“I feel as good as I will ever feel, my confidence is back and I can’t wait to get stuck in against the Brisbane boys this week.”

Tamou’s NRL career was under a cloud last August when he was stretchered off and taken to hospital after copping another blow to his neck against the Warriors in Auckland.

Upon his return to Townsville, Cowboys assistant coach David Furner, the former Test back-rower, sat down with Tamou and mapped out a way to save his career.

“It was ‘Furnsy’ who had a lot to do with changing my style,” Tamou said. “After that Warriors game, we watched some footage and he noticed I was putting my shoulder into contact which was crunching my neck.

“He suggested changing to a more front-on style and it’s worked, so I’m pleased I listened to his advice.”

Brisbane have lost just four of 19 games against the Cowboys at home and Tamou is bracing for front-row fireworks from Blair and McGuire.

“It’s a huge test for myself and Matty Scott,” he said. “I’m a huge fan of Josh McGuire, he does all the runs and tackles and Adam will be in our face as the aggressor so they have a good combination.

“Losing the grand final (last year) has definitely made them hungrier. They are the premiership favourites this year and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be.

“As the 2015 premiers, we have a target on our heads now and we have to up the ante to keep up with teams who are going to try and take us down.”

Originally published as James Tamou says the Cowboys are primed to end their derby curse at Suncorp Stadium