Tearful lesson on leadership

IF James Tamou has to shed some tears to save Penrith’s season, he’ll do it.

The newly appointed captain admits needing to draw on all the lessons under Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott at North Queensland if he’s to lead the Panthers out of the mire.

Penrith have so far failed to live up to summer expectations of being premiership contenders this year after winning just two of their opening six games.

Their slow start has already raised questions about their credentials as finals forces – a situation not unfamiliar to Tamou in his time with the Cowboys.

“Up there it was more or less sitting back and letting them talk. To be under them was very fortunate for myself,” Tamou said of Thurston and Scott.

“And to be set in this role, there’s some things I can take in. Some meetings we had that we wanted to better ourselves – I wouldn’t say crisis meetings, but those (are) ones that stick out.

“I still can remember the words of JT and at some point in time, you knew it meant a lot to JT because sometimes he’d break down and cry. That’s what it meant to him. You still remember that because it shocked you and blew you away.”

After appointing six cocaptains in the pre-season, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary handed Tamou the role last week after emerging as a standout. The 30-year-old was stunned when told of his promotion.

“I came in (last) Monday and about five minutes before team meeting, Ivan pulled me aside, told me and I was a bit blown away,” he said.

“The team we’ve got are capable (with) so many leaders in the team. For him to put his trust in me to lead the boys around, it’s a great honour.”

And the surprise promotion appeared to pay off when Penrith shot out to a 14-point lead against Cronulla last week before being dramatically run down. Tamou said it is imperative his team rectify their issues quickly.

“At the moment it’s not happening. We’re losing concentration and going out of our shell a bit, playing our own game,” he said.

“It’s disappointing because it feels like the same old story: Discipline, possession, missed tackles.”