Rugby League News: Lachlan Lam to Captain Papua New Guinea against Cook Islands
Leigh Leopards star Lachlan Lam will have the honor of captaining the Papua New Guinea national team for the first time this weekend, as they take on the Cook Islands. This follows in the footsteps of his father, Adrian Lam, who himself played 16 times for the Kumuls during his playing days, scoring 8 tries, and has since gone on to serve as their head coach on two separate occasions.
The 54-year-old Adrian Lam, who is now in charge of Leigh, captained the PNG national team on numerous occasions, with his most recent appearance as captain coming in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, where they were knocked out in the quarter-final stage by Wales. 24 years later, his son Lachlan, who was born in Sydney but represents PNG through his heritage, will lead the Kumuls out for the first time.
“Lachlan Lam joined his father at Leigh midway through the 2022 season and has since made 71 appearances for the Leopards, with the 26-year-old half-back being named in the 2023 Super League Dream Team. Lachlan made his international debut for the Kumuls back in 2017 and has already earned 11 caps, with his 12th set to come this Sunday in Port Moresby.”
A win for PNG against the Cook Islands would see them top the Pacific Bowl group for the second year running, and more importantly, earn them a shot at promotion in a one-off game against the nation that ends bottom of this year’s Pacific Cup group. Lachlan will be tasked with leading the side, with fellow Super League star Rhyse Martin not involved in the game.
Rhyse Martin Replaced by Dan Russell
Martin, who will join Hull KR in 2025 after spending the last five-and-a-half seasons with Leeds Rhinos, is set to be replaced in the PNG squad by Dan Russell. The back-rower Russell will also feature in Super League come 2025, having agreed a two-year deal with Warrington Wolves following his departure from NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons.
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