Leigh Leopards head coach Adrian Lam gave a glowing assessment of his side’s inspiring leader Isaac Liu after Saturday’s Challenge Cup win over Hull FC.
Without over ten players through injury and coming off the back of three losses, Leigh managed to make it to the quarter-finals of the competition that they won in 2023 with a 16-6 victory.
Lam confirmed two more injuries were sustained with Keanan Brand and Andy Badrock suffering ‘long-term’ blows but the Leopards weren’t thrown off, with many of their forwards stepping up.
Speaking post-match, Lam said: “Isaac Liu played 76 minutes, Robbie Mulhern played 70, Jack Hughes played 60 minutes and he played front-row, second-row and centre because of the injuries that we had.
“We had two players injured in the outside backs which messes up your rotation and then we only had two on the bench to be able to rotate so it was one of those days where wherever you get put, you do your job and get through the game.
“That’s what I loved most about it, the courage that was shown.”
Isaac Liu hailed by Leigh Leopards boss after huge shift versus Hull FC
Whilst several players played huge minutes, it was the performance of former NRL champion Liu that caught the eye the most and Adrian Lam made sure to give the loose forward his flowers in a glowing tribute.
“I respect him so much as a player, and as a leader,” Lam said. “What he did today, I was talking to the squad in the room after the game saying how he inspires everyone with the way that he does things.”
Lam also pointed out the recent bereavement that Liu had suffered, something that not only had an emotional impact but also ensured the veteran missed key weeks of training and prep, with the Leopards boss explaining how it made’s Saturday’s effort even more impressive.
The Leigh coach said: “He was absolutely gone. Remember he missed two or three weeks with the death of his mother at the start of the year and he didn’t train in that time.
“He’s come back and played big minutes in the last four weeks and the way that he rallied and led the way. I know at times, he was absolutely gassed but then carried twice in that set then got in the defensive line and got forward.
“Everything of a champion is in him and I’m grateful that he’s one of our leaders at the club.”
Liu will likely need to play big minutes once again when Leigh travel to face Wakefield on Friday night with the Leopards likely to only have 17 or 18 players to select from.
