We let ourselves down: Tamou demands Tigers return to standards

Wests Tigers captain James Tamou says the only way to make amends for last weekend's demoralising loss to the Cowboys is to ensure it never happens again.

The joint venture's opening 40 minutes against the struggling Cowboys was lamemtable as the emotion of Tommy Raudonikis tribute day seemed to suffocate the Tigers rather than inspire them.

Despite an improved showing in the second term the damage had already been done in a horror 40 minutes which ended with a chorus of boos from the Leichhardt Oval faithful as the players left the field.

"It was really upsetting, more that with our standards that we have set, we let ourselves down," Tamou said.

"It was one of those things … Leichhardt Oval, [remembering] Tommy Raudonikis and in front of your home fans, you can tell the boys were upset at themselves.

"We had every right to be up for the game. I can't say it's complacency. All we spoke about last week was Tommy Raudonikis.

"Some say the occasion got to us a bit and we were overplaying our hand instead of sticking to the simple things in rugby league.

"It was a bit of disconnection on the field and we've looked at those things. That's not on anyone else but ourselves. We shouldn't have let it get that far and we need to be better."

The 272-game veteran was forced to watch from the sidelines as his teammates mounted a stirring second-half fightback, playing just 28 minutes for the match.

"The boys were on a roll and I was happy to sit there and watch," Tamou said.

"A lot can change in a week so we've got to lift our spirits and not keep kicking stones and dragging the bottom lip.

"We're [only at] round five and have 20 weeks to go. You have to [bounce back] or it will be a long season."

The Tigers' next assignment is a daunting one, taking on the high-flying Rabbitohs and former teammate Benji Marshall at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

"I've got full confidence in our ability, our players and staff that we've just got to click and get it together," Tamou said.

"Souths play a lot of structure and play. They look to lay a foundation for their halves and Latrell Mitchell to play at the back.

"Everyone's active and everyone's got a job to do. We've mixed it with the best teams but it's about going back to the standards."

Maguire has reacted to the Cowboys calamity by making a couple of changes to the line-up with Jake Simpkin set to make his NRL debut at the expense of Jacob Liddle.

"Jake's tough … meeting him [in the pre-season], he loves the tough stuff which will be handy against some big boys this weekend," Tamou said.

"When you're bringing in a debutant it brings enthusiasm and energy. I'm excited for him, but when one comes in another has to go down so it's a tough process that everyone has to go through."