Wests Tigers captain James Tamou declared that he had “embarrassed” himself, the club and his family after being sent off for dissent in Saturday night’s record 72-6 loss to Sydney Roosters and fears the incident may end his career.
Tamou was initially sin-binned and then sent off by referee Ben Cummins in the final minute of the match after venting his frustrations during the biggest defeat in the Tigers history.
The 32-year-old prop could be heard to utter the words "f...ing incompetent" and with no contract for next season a two-match suspension may mean he has now played his last NRL match.
However, Tamou told Tigers officials that he wanted to attend the post-match press conference to apologise for his behaviour towards Cummins, who he later planned to seek out to issue a personal apology.
“First of all, I apologise for my actions towards Ben Cummins. They [match officials] do a terrific job,” Tamou said. “It obviously wasn’t directed at him but the frustrations got the better of me, the emotions got the better of me.
“I will wear any criticism; I will be accountable for my actions. Obviously, the actions aren’t acceptable towards the jersey, the club, the players, who are trying their backsides off. I probably took the easy way out instead of shaking their hand and looking them in the eye.
“I have got to wear that now and wear the criticism. I have got four kids at home and that is how they see their dad act. I’ve let everyone down, I’ve let myself down. I am embarrassed. I have let a lot of people down.”
Storm forward Brandon Smith received a three-match ban earlier this season for abusing referee Adam Gee and with just two rounds remaining before the finals, Tamou admitted he was worried that his 303-match NRL career may end on an unwanted note.
“I actually didn’t think of that until someone just mentioned it and my heart did drop,” the 2015 North Queensland premiership winner said.
“Again, I have got to be accountable for my actions. It would be a tough way to go out from a game that has given me a lot and that I have dedicated my body to. It is just something I will have to deal with. It’s my own fault. I’m shattered.”
Tamou said he hoped to continue playing next season, but his future is uncertain under incoming Tigers coach Tim Sheens.
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“It would be great to go around again but I am also a bit of a pessimist and if that time comes where I have got to hang up the boots I’ll be a realist and go out and find a job,” Tamou said.
Tigers interim coach Brett Kimmorley said it was difficult to see how upset Tamou was over his actions and praised the character of the former Test and Origin representative.
“It is extremely tough because you care for your players,” Kimmorley said. “Jimmy had his 300th game milestone a few weeks ago and that was an unbelievable achievement for a front-rower, a premiership winner, to be able to achieve that.
“Jimmy was the first one to say I want to come to the press conference to front up and make himself accountable. That is more the stature of the man than the 300 games. He has done really well to be strong enough to do that.”
Asked if had apologised to Cummins, Tamou said: “I just had to take a deep breath but I will go and look for him”.