Tamou named Wests Tigers captain for 2021 NRL season

Mbye won’t be part of a five-man leadership group at the Tigers this year with Maguire expected to name three local juniors in Adam Doueihi, Luke Brooks and David Nofoaluma alongside Alex Twal, who will all help fill the void when Tamou is off the field.

Nofoaluma rejected huge offers from NRL rivals over summer commit to the Tigers beyond 2021.

Maguire’s move is a massive show of faith in 32-year-old Tamou, who only signed a two-year deal to join the Tigers on the eve of last year’s finals series.

The enforcer was a huge factor in Penrith’s success last year, but the club struggled to find salary cap space to extend his stay at the foot of the mountains. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has appointed son Nathan and Isaah Yeo as co-captains this season.

Provided he avoids any serious injuries, Tamou is on track to notch 300 NRL games before he finishes his contract at Concord.

The prop has already played for both his state and country and has an NRL title on his resume with North Queensland in 2015.

Tamou is one of a number of experienced Tigers recruits, including Brisbane prop Joe Ofahengaue and South Sydney speedster James Roberts.

Young guns Stefano Utoikamanu and Daine Laurie have also joined the joint venture, the latter finishing just his first week of pre-season with the club after being part of a player swap with Paul Momirovski.

Tamou’s first competition game in charge of the Tigers will be a trip to Canberra to take on the Raiders on March 14.

More to come