Tamou says no excuse for loss

NORTH Queensland Cowboys prop James Tamou apologised to the state of NSW yesterday after Queensland’s Origin III annihilation.

And Tamou has called on NSW officials to stick solid with the embarrassed Blues, while also admitting he must eliminate the frustration from his game which has led to him facing a week on the sidelines for a careless high tackle.

Tamou said there were no excuses for the 52- 6 smashing by Queensland.

“The fact that they came out and put that many points on just shows how much they wanted it,’’ Tamou said.

“When a few penalties came when we were holding them down, I think we shied away from trying to hold them down anymore and we didn’t want to give more penalties away.

“I don’t want to make any excuses, they just got a roll on, it’s as simple as that. Obviously fans will be wanting answers, but there’s not much really to say to that – except sorry.’’

Trailing 22- 2 at half time, the Blues went to the break in shock that in such an important clash, they had allowed their opposition a stunning jump- start.

But Tamou claimed Blues’

the dressing room was optimistic at half- time of a fightback.

“Everyone was upbeat,’’ he said. “With the players in there we knew what we could do and what points we can put on them.

“We were only 20 points behind but obviously in an Origin game, that’s a lot.

“But I was still confident. The players we have unfortunately didn’t have a chance to show what they could do out there.’’

Such is the nature of the dismal showing by the Blues, the pressure will be on coach Laurie Daley to tinker with his side ahead of Origin I next year.

However, Tamou spoke of the importance of the NSW hierarchy showing faith in a side that lost by one- point in Origin I and were impressive in victory in Origin II. “We’ll cop it, but the best thing abut this group is that we’ll stick together,’’ he said. “We’ll come out stronger and we’ve got a strong bond so 12months later who knows what can happen.

“This is one of the closest teams I’ve been involved with in Origin.”

He pleaded guilty to a Grade 2 careless high tackle on Jacob Lillyman in the 53rd minute. He will miss the Cowboys’ match against Manly on Monday week.