Lam creates history

The National Sports
Former Kumul voted as English Super League coach of the year

FORMER Kumul Adrian Lam was this week voted the English Super League coach of the year by his peers, creating history as the first national to win the award.
He won the award after guiding Wigan to the League Leaders Shield and securing a place in Friday’s grand final (United Kingdom time) against St Helens at KCOM Stadium in Hull.
The former Papua New Guinea and Queensland halfback, who is expected to stay on next season, won more votes from the other Super League head coaches than anyone else.
PNG Rugby Football League chairman Sandis Tsaka praised the 50-year-old for creating history by becoming the first national to win the award.
“He is also the first national to guide a side as head coach to a Super League grand final,” he told The National yesterday.
“So that is a remarkable achievement for him, his family and the country.
“Lam has come a long way in his coaching career.
“He served his apprenticeship as an assistant coach under Brad Fittler at the Sydney Roosters, Wayne Bennett at the St George Illawarra Dragons, and Mal Meninga at the Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos.
“Bennett, Meninga and Fittler are some of the best mentors in rugby league so it comes as little surprise that Lam has gone on to make a name for himself as a head coach.
“He has also coached the Kumuls so he is not new to the role as head coach.
“We wish him and his Wigan Warriors well for the grand final.”
Rabaul-born Lam, whose 22-year-old son Lachlan plays for the Roosters, made his debut as Kumul No.163 against France in 1994.
Lam was instrumental in Queensland’s 1995 State of Origin upset over the Blues, scoring a try in the second game and being voted man-of-the-match in game three at Lang Park in Brisbane.

15 comments

  • Congratulations Mr Lam for your achievements, well deserved.
    It took him time, planning and commitment to reach that, if only PNG had given him that same support Kumuls would have gained a lot instead of complaining, whinning and backstabbing someone who actually lead PNG to world cup.

    AL, you do what you do best and you’ll be fine

  • Yes yah, congratulations Lam, you have been the connect between png rugby league the outside world. The big call will allow you to bring more of your country men and women to play rugby in UK.

  • PNG Kumul Board discarded Lam for Meninga on a PNGK 350000.00 contract annually with a hope of Mal transforming the Kumuls into a formidable team.

    Lam’s contributions to PNG meant nothing and he left with a heavy heart. Meninga dumped the Kumuls few months into his contract to coach the super team Kangaroos.

    Am afraid Lam would have NO intentions at all to recruit PNG players to UK because of this very reason and that PNG players lack professionalism.

    It reminds me of myself being ridiculed, back chatted and bullied and ostracised whilts working in PMGH.

    Am happy for Lam to archive this award for himself and family. PNG can reminisce in his glory. As a Papua New Guinean doctor working in England, am proud of his achievement. I wont bring or assist any PNG doctors to UK eventhough I work as a Consultant Physician and Cardiologist in the National Health Services of England, neither do Lam. We dont owe PNG anything.

    Good Luck Kumuls. Hope to see you in England 2021

    • Agreed – Lam doesn’t owe PNGNRL anything, for the treatment he received. But he will still remembered as a great Queensland halfback and captain of the PNHG Kumuls. This will be forever set in stone, in Rugby league history.

      Well done Adrian Lam.

  • Congratulation! Former PNG Kumuls halfback Adrian Lam for Super League head coach. It is an honour for you to be voted into that position. You are PNG Rugby League legend. We are proud of you.

    Siyokouyal

  • Congratulation! Former PNG Kumuls halfback Adrian Lam for Super League head coach. It is an honour for you to be voted into that position. You are PNG Rugby League legend. We are proud of you.

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