Lam wants to see reserve grade return to strengthen comp

ADRIAN Lam, pictured, has explained why it is “critical” the reserve competition is revived next season.
A meeting of Super League chief executives has backed a mandatory reserve competition, to begin in 2020, which is expected to be voted through by the Rugby Football League this month.
Lam, who cut his coaching teeth with Wigan’s second-string in 2005, says the proposal needs to get the green light.
“The reserves needs to be alive,” he said.
“Without a doubt, I think the game suffers from a lack of reserve competition.
“It’s critical that exists for the survival of rugby league.
“If it (returns in 2020), that’ll be a positive for the game, and for every club in there.”
The reserves has had several guises, such as A team and Under-21s (with provisions for a few open-age players).
It was scrapped a few years ago in a move which upped the age limit on the academy from 18 to 19 — which will revert back next year under these plans, with a reserves above it.
Currently, the only option for fringe players too old for the U19s is to play on loan or dual-registration for lower-league clubs — but that has presented its own challenges.
Is a former Sydney Roosters halfback and captained Papua New Guinea and Queensland.
– WignaToday