Wallace or Asofa-Solomona were two others we could have looked at.
We were after Tamou and McGuire last March/April but ended up focusing on Tamou.
McGuire and Wallace are Origin players, Asofa-Solomona was named in the NZ team but pulled out with injury and Vaughn is ahead of Tamou in the NSW pecking order.
A big yes on Wallace. He has done well this year.
That is what I think we needed a young prop. A few years of first grade experience but hungry to take his opportunity. Like Vaughan has, like Wallace has. Obviously we don't know how those would have gone under Griffin.
I know why Gould wanted Tamou. Experienced done everything in the game at the highest level that can hopefully rub off on the younger blokes. He should be the leader of this pack. Which hasn't fired this year. Neither has he.
Tamou averaged 131 metre last year with the Cowboys 11.1 carries. Averaged 26 tackles per match and only 6 errors,
This year he has averaged 108 metres 9 carries per match. Same average tackles of 26, but 8 errors already.
The only time he has big metre games if we play weak forward packs like the Tigers, Newcastle or Souths. (I rate Sam Burgess thats it for the Souths pack)
The trouble is if you have done everything in the game. Unless you are like a player like Lockyer or Cronk who are (were) super competitive. You get comfortable & lazy later in your career.
Tamou I think is a little too comfortable. Either that or his style doesn't suit Griffin's coaching.