James Tamou siblings: Meet his brother Zinzan Tamou

North Queensland Cowboys fan favorite James Tamou has announced he has retired from the NRL effective immediately.

The 34-year-old broke the news at halftime of his side’s clash with the Sharks, having played 307 first-grade games since making his debut for the Cowboys in 2009.

Tamou also had stints with the Panthers and Tigers, before returning for one last season in Townsville where he will finish his career.

He was also a member of the Cowboys’ 2015 premiership-winning squad and has been sidelined this season due to a Lisfranc injury.

“I’ve just announced it to the world, but internally I sort of knew,” Tamou said on WWOS.

“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. Unfortunately, you have to listen to the body.

Former teammate turned pundit Johnathan Thurston quizzed Tamou on his favorite moment of his career.

“Of course, as you get older you realize that premierships are hard to come by, so the 2015 premiership with the Cowboys,” he said.

“There are some great memories up here and what a way to finish it up here as well.

“I made lifelong friends, and that is the benefit of what rugby league brings. Some people treat it as a job but others, as a lifestyle.

“I have been fortunate to be in the game long enough to withstand the long-term things and have long-term relationships on the way.”

Tamou also played 12 Tests for the Kangaroos and earned 14 caps for the NSW Blues, featuring in State of Origin between 2012 and 2016.

James Tamou siblings: Meet his brother Zinzan Tamou

JAMES Tamou has revealed the family ordeal that inspired his rise to Australian honors – the miraculous survival of his brother from a freak near-drowning accident that almost rendered him a paraplegic.

The New Zealand-born enforcer has been pilloried ahead of tomorrow night’s trans-Tasman Test, with the Kiwi media labeling him “Turncoat Tamou” after his shock representative defection to Australia just a fortnight ago.

But the Kangaroos debutant has endured far worse. Nine years ago, a terrified Tamou, then just 14, sat in an ambulance, tears streaming down his face, as his older brother Zinzan was rushed to a New Zealand hospital fighting for his life.
Named after All Blacks legend Zinzan Brooke, Tamou’s elder sibling dived into a pool and smashed head-first into the bottom, snapping his vertebrae.

When he was hauled from the water unconscious, Zinzan, then 15, did not breathe for another four minutes. Tamou was resigned to his brother’s death.

Only some quick thinking by a lifeguard, who performed CPR, saved Zinzan’s life.

Tomorrow night, Tamou will run on to Auckland’s Eden Park for his Kangaroos debut motivated not by his critics but his brother’s remarkable will to live.

To honor Zinzan’s survival, Tamou had a tattoo inscribed across his chest, a Spanish phrase that reads: “La Familia Para Siempre”.

It translates to Family Forever.

“My brother has been through hell,” says Tamou as he reflects on Zinzan’s struggle.

“It was the worst time of our lives. I still remember seeing him lying on his back and I just cried my eyes out.

“I thought my brother had died.

“Even when the lifeguard brought him back, he went to hospital with a broken neck and the doctors said they weren’t sure if he would walk again.

“Six months later he walked out and is still living.

“That’s where my inspiration in football comes from. Zinny has beaten all the odds . . . this game is for him.”

Zinzan’s recovery has defied the medical fraternity.

Now 24, he lives with parents Pippa and Dave and has a five-year-old son, Tyrone. He has lost feeling down his left side but can walk unassisted and averted major brain damage.

“Zinny is our living miracle – I say he’s my cat with nine lives,” mother Pippa told The Courier-Mail last night.

“Jimmy plays for all his family but his brother is his true inspiration.

“They are very close, there’s only a year between them, so they’re like twins.

“They miss each other a lot and talk all the time.

“I’ve nearly lost Zinny a few times. When he was born he nearly died – he had the cord wrapped his around neck – and as a baby, he had a massive asthma attack and needed oxygen to help him breathe again.

“He’s really proud of Jimmy and can’t wait to watch him play for Australia.”

Despite being branded a traitor, Tamou says his family supported his decision to switch allegiance.

“I love New Zealand, both my parents are from there, but Mum and Dad said whatever you do, we’ll support you,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get out there, it will be the highlight of my career.”