NRL steps over the ‘fine’ line

THE North Queensland Cowboys travelled to Wollongong baffled at the extra punishment dished out to prop James Tamou by the National Rugby League.

A massive physical and mental test lies in store for the Cowboys against the St George- Illawarra Dragons tonight following a week of high drama, but the pressure valve can be eased slightly with a much-needed victory.

Tamou yesterday travelled with his teammates who seemed unfazed by the media attention surrounding the hulking forward.

But coach Neil Henry is still bitter at the $ 20,000 fine handed to Tamou by the NRL after he was also suspended from tonight’s crucial clash as well as Origin II.

Henry fronted the media for the first time since Tamou had the book thrown at him, both by North Queensland and the NRL, for allegedly drink drinking at almost four times the legal limit, on Monday morning.

The Cowboys are understood to have agreed with the NRL on the club and Origin match bans, but were disappointed to learn that Tamou had received the extra monetary penalty.

‘‘We came to an agreement and they (the NRL) were in agreeance as well,’’ Henry said. ‘‘For (NRL CEO David) Smith to come out and do that. . . that’s his prerogative, but we thought it was a bit much in the end after we agreed to something.

‘‘It’s done and dusted and how we move on is very important, and the guys coming in will need to step up.’’

Scott Bolton has been promoted to Tamou’s starting position and is no stranger to filling his massive boots, having started as prop against the Tigers in round 11 when Tamou came off the bench.

Co-captain Johnathan Thurston is a certain starter after straining an adductor during Origin I, and is likely to resume kicking duties tonight.

‘‘He ( Johnathan) got through the whole (training) session today and he did a modified warm- up, and he was kicking at the end which is a good sign,’’ Henry said.

‘‘He was slotting them over quite well and doing a bit of kicking in general play, so he’ll be right and he’s certainly a lot better than he was last week.’’

Gavin Cooper travelled with the team as 18th man and is a light chance of making a surprise return from a medial ligament tear three weeks ago.

North Queensland have been relatively successful against the Dragons at Wollongong’s WIN Stadium, winning four of the last seven games there. The teams played at Wollongong last year in round 24, with the Cowboys winning 32-22.

Dragons fullback Josh Dugan will provide an acid test for Henry’s men following a string of impressive performances, and has been backed by some New South Wales’ players to line up for Origin II.

The Cowboys sit in equal last place with Parramatta, but the 12th-placed Dragons are equally desperate to score two competition points.

‘‘ We’ve had some good results down there, but they (St George) are on a bit of a roll as well,’’ Henry said.

‘‘They’ll be keen to keep that momentum going and they’re only a win or two above us, but we just have to be a little bit more desperate.

‘‘Our season is closing in fast. If we don’t get on a bit of a run with wins it’ll be over.’’