Adrian Lam has weighed in on new signing Lazarus Vaalepu, after the forward joined Leigh Leopards at the end of last month.
Vaalepu departed NRL side Melbourne Storm in June to take up a new opportunity at the Leopards. He becomes the latest man to make the move mid-season to the Leopards, joining the likes of Aaron Pene and Joe Ofahengaue, who have doen the same in recent seasons.
The 27-year-old has 12 NRL and two international appearances to his name, and is keen to rip in at the Leigh Sports Village. He could make his debut as early as this week when Leigh host Castleford Tigers on Saturday.
Lam spoke on his new man in this week’s press conference, and is over the moon with the way he has settled into the club over the past week or so.
The boss said: “He’s a big body, a point of difference for us really, and he’s slipped straight into training over the last seven days. We’re pretty excited to get working with him.
“It’ll be business as usual, just trying to get him up to speed on who we are as a club and everything else, but he certainly looks like he’s going to fit in really well.”
Initially, Leigh revealed that Vaalepu had signed “for the 2026 season,” and whilst that is true, Lam has actually confirmed that the deal he has inked is actually longer than that.
“It’s a two and a half [year contract],” said the boss. “It’s a one and a half year deal with a second year. So the rest of this year, 26, all of 27 and 28 in the option of both the club and the player. So two and a half years, essentially.”
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Leigh Leopards boss highlights key men’s upturn in form after Magic Weekend win
The Leopards go into their game against Castleford on the back of a 24-6 victory over Warrington Wolves at Magic Weekend. That win was their eighth in the last 10 matches, so it’s plain to see that Leigh are on the up as we approach the back-end of the season.
In those eight wins, certain players have been in a great vein of form, and were rightfully singled out by the boss for praise.
He said: “Matty Davis hasn’t had much game time this year, and he was pretty good. He brought us a lot of energy last week. Liam Horne is starting to play his best rugby since being a part of us.
“Davey Armstrong, man of the match last week and getting back to his groove. Look at Adam Cook whose ceiling has grown and he’s maturing nicely within our system. There’s a lot of positives to look at and to be grateful for here at the moment.
On Armstrong in particular, he added: “I’m very pleased for Davey, coming back from a serious injury this year, his confidence was low.
“We’ve stuck by him, and I think every week he’s gotten better. He was class for us on the weekend, scored a try, which he can show what he can do, but also defending tries too. Saving tries for us.
“He’s been working really hard. His confidence is back. I’m really looking forward, especially now that it’s drying up, to see him in open space a bit more.
“It’s a great part of the game, and we’ve got flyers like him and Josh and Umyla and Innes as well, all ready to do a little bit more of that, we hope.
Lam continued the praise, saying:Â “I think I saw the best rugby from Lockie [Lachlan] Lam as well. He’s been carrying an injury and playing under duress with a wrist and thumb issue and a small hamstring strain.
“I think Edwin Ipape had his best game of the month on the weekend too.
“As it dries up, I’m looking for them to light up Super League.”
