TAMOU SAYS HE’S SORRY
AN apology has already been offered by trash- talking NSW State of Origin prop James Tamou but besieged Queensland pivot Johnathan Thurston is poised to receive another unforgiving Blues test tonight.
NSW appeared to up the ante on their series- long niggling of Thurston before Origin III when his Cowboys teammate Tamou rated Blues No. 1 Jarryd Hayne “better” than the Maroons’ fiveeighth.
Tamou’s betrayal loomed as another body blow to a vulnerable Thurston ( pictured) as he tried to regain his mojo on the eve of his record 30th straight Origin game.
But Queensland captain Cameron Smith said Tamou had already apologised for his comment and expected Thurston to fire in a match they must win to avoid their first series whitewash since 2000.
“I don’t think ‘ JT’ needs any motivation from comments made in the paper, given that James actually texted him this morning and apologised for the comments that he had made,” Smith said.
“So that was a bit of a funny one.
“But he’s a guy who has never lived off comments from other players or the media to try and make him play better.
“He is a competitor. He will want to beat you on PlayStation let alone on a footy field.
“I am sure you will see the best of him on Wednesday night.”
But Smith admitted he did not know what to expect from a Blues outfit that had harassed Thurston all series.