NRL 2022: Wests Tigers, James Tamou sent off for calling referee incompetent, what did he say, Roosters game

The incident occurred in the dying stage Humiliating Tigers loss 72-6 to Sydney Roosters at the SCG on Saturday night.

Live stream every game from every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season and get ad breaks free while playing on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Roosters forward Angus Crichton had just lost the ball from dummy half, but Cummins decided it was a set back.

Tamou was then seen barking at Cummins when he was part of Crichton’s three-man tackle.

Cummins quickly blew the penalty and sent Tamou to Shinbin, putting up ten fingers and saying “You can go.”

Furious Tamou fought back: “You are incompetent.”

That was enough for Cummins to upgrade the sin bin to a full send-off.

“He was 10 years old now, and now he’s just off,” commentator Warren Smith told Fox League.

Tamou took a few steps towards the sideline before turning around and attacking Cummins again.

However, the referee insisted, “Keep going,” and Tamou had no choice but to turn around and continue walking across the field.

“James Tamou pushed the envelope and went out in style,” said Smith.

“Sent off. Initially charged, now sent off for a rather fruity dissent in the direction of the referee.

“I didn’t see it coming.”

Frustrations were blown away when Tamou received a penalty just a minute ago in the back chat.

The veteran forward lost the ball just two meters from the Roosters defensive line and threw it to tackler Terrell May in frustration.

“Now Tamou reacts to putting the ball down, throws it to May and gives him a penalty to make the situation worse,” Smith said.

Cummins explained that the penalty was “for back chat,” but that didn’t stop Tigers forward Joe Ofahengaue from asking if he could contest the call.

“Frustration has reached boiling point for the Tigers,” Michael Ennis told Fox League.

“He annoys the captain. Just look at him.”

Having recently completed his 300th game in the NRL and eager to play again next year, Tamou is sure to come under scrutiny for his outburst.

Melbourne Storms Brandon Smith suspended for four games reportedly Calls referee Adam Zee a ‘cheat guy’ last month.

first published as ‘F***ing incompetent’: Tigers skipper James Tamou ejected for abusing referee