Leigh Leopards boss Adrian Lam has left the door open for a potential return to international coaching ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Lam hopes he can extend his streak of being involved in the tournament going, having not missed a competition since 1995.
He was named in the Papua New Guinea side as a player in the 1995 and 2000 events, before then coaching the Kumuls in the 2008 and 2013 instalments.
In the two most recent World Cups, in 2017 and 2021, he has been part of the Australian coaching staff, and has worked alongside Mal Meninga for both events.
However, after stepping down from the Kangaroos staff last year, there is currently no place at the World Cup for Lam, who has now spent four full seasons as head coach of the Leopards.
One obvious role that still needs filling is the England head coach role, following the departure of Shaun Wane earlier in January.
Plenty of names have been linked with the role, and given the job will be part-time, a number of Super League coaches are on the radar to take the reigns.
Whilst Willie Peters and Brad Arthur have actively declared their interest, Lam has done the opposite, and claims the thought of coaching England hasn’t crossed his mind.
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Leigh Leopards boss comments on England vacancy
Speaking in a press conference posted on the club’s YouTube channel, the PNG icon was asked about a potential appointment, saying:
“I haven’t even thought about that. I’ve been in Thailand on holiday.
I only watched part of the Test matches, which was great to have back, but I’ve just pulled out of the Aussie side a year ago because I needed a break in the off-season.
“Having said that, I haven’t missed a World Cup since I played in 1995. I’ve been involved as a player or coach in every one so I probably don’t want to give that up, so maybe there will be an opportunity somewhere along the line.”
Having been a coach at club and international level for many years, Lam revealed the subtle differences in managing between the two, and how it can be difficult dealing with a variety of players who hail from a number of systems.
“You’ve got to keep your same principles but you’re dealing with better players, aren’t you?” explained Lam.
“You’ve got to find a happy balance through everyone and that’s through communication with your key players.
“I’ve been involved with Australia for eight years as an assistant and I loved every moment of that so it is a difficult job, especially if you don’t have your top players through injury at the end of a season, but I think for anyone that wants to do it then it’s a great reward.”
Lam also hopes that some of his Leigh players will be featuring in the tournament, and there are some certainties already, barring injury, with the likes of Lachlan Lam and Edwin Ipape almost guaranteed to start for Papua New Guinea. The likes of Robbie Mulhern and Owen Trout will also be pushing for a place in the England side, with the latter making the squad for the Ashes series last Autumn.
“I love the World Cup years,” said Lam. “Hopefully I’ve got a few players involved with one or two in that England squad. I think that would be a great reward for us as a club.”
