In a massive blow for the Wests Tigers, co-captain James Tamou is set to miss the first round of the season after a dangerous tackle on young half Sam Walker during last night’s 16-8 trial victory over Sydney Roosters.
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Tamou faces a one-game ban if he takes the early plea to a grade two dangerous contact charge for taking out Walker’s legs in the air after a fifth tackle kick, just minutes into their pre-season clash.
If Tamou fights the charge and loses, he will face a two-game ban.
“That’s dangerous, that is really dangerous… this is bad, James Tamou spearing in at the legs,” Michael Ennis said on Fox Sports.
“That was really ugly.. Walker in the air, spearing in at the legs, that is awful from James Tamou.
“It is dangerous contact, could have broken his leg, he lands on his neck,” Ennis added.
“I don’t know how he stayed on the field.”
The Tigers will likely be down to three of their five skippers for the start of the NRL campaign, taking into account the likely loss of Tamou and the knee injury to Adam Doueihi.
Speaking after the match, Tamou said his energetic start got the best of him.
“I was too keen, there was too much energy to start the game,″ Tamou said.
“It’s a trial, but we want to start our season in the right way. That’s all it was. I knew straight away. A young kid like that, there was no malice.
“You don’t [want to miss any games] whatsoever, especially coming off a positive win like that. It’s a trial game and the Roosters were missing players … but you don’t want to miss any games.”
Meantime, the Roosters’ Lindsay Collins copped a $750 fine for a dangerous contact charge for a hit on the Tigers’ Jackson Hastings.
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