Lam reveals RFL decision that ‘upset’ his Wigan players

Adrian Lam’s Wigan went down narrowly to Warrington by 10-6, but the Warriors head coach has revealed that certain RFL protocol disrupted his side’s plans before kick-off.

It centres around the dispute about bringing in the 18th man for Wigan – Joe Bullock – in place of the injured Oliver Gildart.

“We had a dilemma with the RFL to bring players in to play and it was an absolute nightmare in the dressing room,” Lam said.

“They argued that the player we would bring in – Joe Bullock – was starting or we would lose a substitute.

“I was talking to the players about potentially switching positions a minute before kick-off because you’ve got to bring someone into the team, we either had to start him or pick a sub to lose, but you don’t want to lose a sub at the start of the game in a top four game.

“It wasn’t good or ideal and I was telling players a minute before kick-off that they weren’t playing in the same position they had trained in all week and it upsets the players.”

Lam was, however, proud of the players in defeat.

“I’m proud of that performance, we didn’t win the game but I felt we got back to the team we were at the back end of last season.

“We’re empty handed this week but the exact moment was what we needed at the club at this moment in time.

Lam confirmed that Morgan Smithies also left the field with a neck injury.