James Tamou's Timely Destructive Display

If Cowboy James Tamou is in the shop window then the sale price the North Queensland club had on him has just been increased. Last year and for 3 and half games of 2015 the powerful prop looked a shadow of the super-sized forward who forced his way into a New South Wales and Australian Jersey, before his strong surges in the second half against Melbourne on Monday night helped the Cowboys win their first game of the season. Though Johnathan Thurston’s field goals to send the game into Golden Point then win it were the memorable moments; the other JT’s rampaging runs after half time turned the tide in Townsville and may have turned Tamou’s season around.

Tamou’s Time up in North Queensland?

Tamou who was the game’s most damaging prop 2 years ago has battled a neck injury in the last 18 months and his form’s failed to hit the high heights of 2012, when the Cowboys was gave him 3 year contract worth $650,000 a season. Tamou had neck surgery late last year in a bid to get back to his best but has struggled this year and his future in North Queensland looks uncertain. Adding to the speculation is news the 26 year old’s girlfriend has been linked with move to Sydney. Brittney McGlone is aiming to relaunch a promising track and field career.

Can Tamou Turn Things Around?

But it was Tamou’s promising forty minutes against Melbourne that may have relaunched the Cowboy’s origin ambitions. The forward who’s dropped down the Blues pecking order will need to deliver more destruction similar to what displayed against the Storm, on a weekly basis, if he’s to line up for New South Wales this year. Tamou was a part of the Blues’ Series win in 2014, and he has around 6 weeks to re-establish himself as a go to man for Laurie Daley.

Will the Cowboys Confidence Grow?

The Cowboys were within seconds of being winless after 4 rounds this year before their last gasp victory over Melbourne. Now the North Queensland must take the confidence they gained out of that comeback and carry it into their next game. The Cowboys will play another Monday match when they take on Penrith. It’ll be another test for Tamou and his team mates against a Panthers outfit aiming to bounce back from consecutive losses, having begun 2015 with successive wins. North Queensland’s incentive is that they’ll be level on victories with their opponents if they can come out on top.