’Bash brothers’ are back

Hannant says Tamou will add punch to Cowboys

PREMIERSHIP- winning Cowboys forward Ben Hannant believes James Tamou will form a devastating partnership with Jason Taumalolo that he has dubbed the “bash brothers.”

Tamou will return to North Queensland on a one-year deal for 2023, six years after he played the last of 170 games in Cowboys colours.

Hannant, who partnered Tamou in the Cowboys’ 2015 engine room, said the 33-yearold still had plenty to offer the club on and off the field.

“He’s going to bring his professionalism, his training ethic and his leadership,” Hannant said.

“He’s got a lot of friends up there and all the boys respect him, so with such a young squad at the Cowboys I think he’s going to add so much more to them.”

Hannant believed Tamou would reconnect with good mate Taumalolo to form a dynamic one-two punch to rival the best packs in the league.

“Getting him and Jason Taumalolo back together, two best mates, I’m sure they’ll go back to being roommates,” Hannant said.

“They’ll be like the bash brothers up there. It will be fantastic to see them both working off each other’s success.”

Tamou is one of 44 players to make 300 NRL appearances.

He has played in 14 State of Origins for New South Wales and for Australia on 12 occasions.

The prop is the definition of a big-game player, and Hannant said his “ginormous” physique, speed and footwork helped create the biggest moment in club history during the 2015 decider against Brisbane.

“Big Jase had some big moments in that final, but the biggest moment from our forwards was actually from James Tamou,” Hannant said.

“He got that quick play-theball that allowed Johnathan Thurston an eternity to kick that field goal.

“It’s not always about making 200 or 300 metres with your running game, it’s getting those quick play-the-balls and what comes off the back of it that’s so important.

“Where the fans don’t always see that, I know Toddy (Payten) will definitely recognise that.”

Hannant roomed with Tamou for 12 months, and he said Tamou was the type of person that teammates want to play with and play for.

“He’s a lot of fun, he works extremely hard, he’s very kind and considerate – he’s a gentleman of the game,” Hannant said

“He’ll want to go out on a high and make sure that he leaves his legacy on the game, especially in a place that’s as close to his heart as Townsville.

“I’m excited to see him back in the Cowboys colours and I think he’s going to be a great success for us.”