Adrian Lam has warned Leigh Leopards fans that it could take time for some of their new signings to find their feet in Super League. The Leopards have made big changes over the off-season and they’ll take on Wigan Warriors this evening with six new signings in their 21-man squad.
Most of those are expected to make their Super League debut for the Leopards, with David Armstrong, Isaac Liu and Alec Tuitavake among those in line to play big roles against the Warriors. Tesi Niu is also expected to start, with the centre making the move to join Leigh from the NRL after struggling for traction with the Dolphins.
Niu burst onto the scene as a youngster with Brisbane Broncos, while also making an early name for himself on the international stage with Tonga. However, his progress has slowed over the last couple of seasons and at the age of 23, he finds himself in Super League with something of a point to prove.
Lam expects him to find traction in Super League, but he also believes Niu might have to edge his way into the competition.
“Tesi and I have had a couple of deep conversations and honesty around what his role is here moving forward,” the Leigh boss told the media during his pre-match press conference. “We had Ricky Leutele in that position, another senior member that was defence orientated.
“But when I was the recruitment officer at the Roosters, Tesi was probably the best young talented kid in the whole country as a 13-year-old, right up until he was 21. I’m aware of what he is capable of.
“You won’t see it in the first quarter of the season but in the second half, you’ll see the player we’ve recruited here and hopefully he can do the job that we look forward to him doing.”
Tuitavake is another Leigh Leopards have high hopes for after taking the 23-year-old out of the New South Wales Cup. His profile is one Super League fans will be familiar with, but again Lam is comfortable with the idea that he might take time to settle.
“Alec is very, very similar to Tom Amone when Tom Amone arrived here in 2022,” Lam added. “He’s a player to come off the bench to start with but I think he even modelled himself on the way that Tom played.
“He looked up to Tom in a different way. If you watch him closely he’s a very similar player. It’s the same conversations we’re having with this time and players finding their way in Super League and when I came over as a a player, I understand because it took me a long time to find my feet here.
“Once I did and got my confidence, things changed and that’s what it’s going to be like with all of these players. We’re going to back Alec all the way, I like the style that he plays, he’s got an offload, he’s got great footwork, he can break the line and he’s got great explosive speed. I look forward to watching him develop and grow this season.”
