James Tamou
Encyclopedia
James Tamou is a New Zealand
rugby league prop who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys
in the National Rugby League
(NRL). He is contracted to the club until the end of the 2013 season.
' under 20s team in 2008, before signing for the North Queensland Cowboys
from 2009. He made his first-grade debut in the ninth round of the 2009 NRL season. In 2010 he was named the Cowboys' most improved player of the year. Early in the 2011 season, he was banned by his team-mates from one NRL match for "breaking team alcohol rules", but went on to play in 23 NRL matches during the year, including the Cowboys' qualifying final defeat to Manly.
in 2007. In 2011 he was selected in the New Zealand national team
's train-on squad for the Four Nations, although he was not selected in the final squad for the tournament.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby league prop who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
(NRL). He is contracted to the club until the end of the 2013 season.
Playing career
Tamou played for the Sydney RoostersSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
' under 20s team in 2008, before signing for the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
from 2009. He made his first-grade debut in the ninth round of the 2009 NRL season. In 2010 he was named the Cowboys' most improved player of the year. Early in the 2011 season, he was banned by his team-mates from one NRL match for "breaking team alcohol rules", but went on to play in 23 NRL matches during the year, including the Cowboys' qualifying final defeat to Manly.
Representative career
Tamou has twice represented the New Zealand Māori, in 2008 and 2010. He played for the Junior KiwisJunior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
in 2007. In 2011 he was selected in the New Zealand national team
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
's train-on squad for the Four Nations, although he was not selected in the final squad for the tournament.