Cowboys fan favourite James Tamou has announced his immediate retirement from the NRL.
Tamou had been hoping to have the chance at playing a farewell game after suffering a foot injury back in round three.
He retires having played 307 first grade games. He was a member of the Cowboys’ 2015 premiership-winning team.
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Tamou spent eight years in Townsville before stints at Penrith and the Wests Tigers. He signed a one-year deal for this season to return to the Cowboys.
“I’ve just announced it to the world, but internally I sort of knew,” he told former teammate Johnathan Thurston on Nine.
“I couldn’t have asked for more. I’ve been around the world and I was very lucky and fortunate to come up here one last time, but I’ve gotta to listen to the body.”
Thurston asked him his favourite memory.
“Of course, as you get older you realise … premierships are hard to come by, so the 2015 premiership with the Cowboys. There are some great memories up here and what a way to finish it up here as well.
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“I made lifelong friends, and that is the benefit of what rugby league brings. Some people treat it as a job but others, a lifestyle.
“I have been fortunate to be in the game long enough to … have long-term relationships on the way.”
Nine’s Danika Mason reported Tamou broke the news at half time by announcing it over the ground’s PA.
She said he told her he still held desires to play league next year in lower grades, possibly even Q Cup, but it won’t be in the NRL.
Tamou made 14 Origin appearances for the Blues and 12 for the Kangaroos. He was also a member of the Kangaroos 2013 World Cup-winning squad.
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