Wests Tigers captain James Tamou has issued an apology after a late-game tirade directed at referee Ben Cummins saw the prop sent from the field.
The Sydney Roosters scored a monumental 72-6 victory over Tamou's Tigers, the win pushing the Roosters into sixth place, while the Tigers look certain to collect the club's first wooden spoon at season's end.
Following a missed knock-on in the final minute, Tamou snapped and labeled Cummins as 'f***ing incompetent', an outburst that not only saw the middle forward marched from the field, but could end his NRL career after 304 games.
Off contract at the end of the season, Tamou's verbal slashing could see him suspended for the final fortnight of the regular season, after Brandon Smith recently missed three weeks for labelling the referee a 'cheating b******' on field.
An apologetic Tamou fronted up to the post-match press conference to apologise for his actions, and admit that he allowed emotions to get the best of him.
โFirst of all I apologise for my actions towards Ben Cummins, they (the referees) do a terrific job,โ he said during the press conference.
โThe frustrations got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me. Iโll wear any criticism and be accountable for my actions.
โThe actions arenโt acceptable towards the jersey, the club, the players trying their backsides off."
The former Panther and Cowboy claims he was embarrassed after the tirade, and believes he needs to set a better example for onlookers, especially his children.
โI took the easy way out and Iโve got to wear that all week now, wear the criticism, Iโve got four kids at home and thatโs how theyโre going to see how their dad acts.
โSo Iโll wear the criticism all week, I have to be accountable for my actions because the actions arenโt acceptable and Iโve let everyone down.
โIโve let myself down, Iโm embarrassed. Iโve let a lot of people down.
โInstead of looking myself in the mirror and being accountable, I took it out on the wrong people and again thatโs taking the easy way out. Iโm obviously shattered.โ
Despite being without a contract for 2023, Tamou is open to the idea of extending his playing career by one more year, though admits he doesn't like his chances at scoring a new deal.
โYou give everything to this game. You donโt just turn up to training then go home and switch off. Youโre a 24-hour player, you go home, recover, you eat, I love everything about that.
โI love dedicating my body to that, Iโve done it for so long and itโd be great to go around again but Iโm also a bit of a pessimist and if that time comes where Iโve got to hang up the boots Iโll be a realist and go out and find a job.โ
Tamou is set to front the judiciary early in the week as he learns whether or not he'll run out in an NRL jersey again.
