FIRST ADE FOR WIGAN
Lam favourite to take job after Edwards ‘no’
ADRIAN LAM could take charge of Wigan on a permanent basis after Shaun Edwards’ drawn-out U-turn.
Interim Warriors coach Lam – who was handed a 12-month deal while the club waited for Edwards’ rugby union commitments to finish – has been made the bookies’ favourite for the job.
Lam has not moved his family over from Australia for this year, but admits his stance could change now Edwards (above) has formally confirmed he will not return.
Prior to Good Friday’s derby with St Helens, Lam said: “Up until this point, I’ve not really thought about it.
“It’s not really the week to focus on it too much and it’s something I’ll consider in the next week.
“I was always going home in October – that was the plan from the start and still is.
“It wasn’t in my thinking, but things change.
“We’ve got a massive weekend with Friday and doubling up on Monday, and my priority is making sure we get that right.”
Lam is confident that captain Sean O’Loughlin will recover from a calf complaint to face tabletopping Saints and says he is vital for the injury-hit side.
Lam (above, main picture) said: “He is the most experienced player in the competition. It’s not only the value he brings to the team, but when you look around the dressing room at the start of the game and he’s here as captain, it gives hope to the players around him.
“We’ve got a lot of young players at the moment and they need that senior figure between them.”
Lam also defended his players after postmatch criticism from Wakefield coach Chris Chester last week over a series of tackles aimed at the knee, which resulted in one suspension to hooker Sam Powell.
Lam said: “It was a little unfair, looking back at the video.
“I’m not sure where that’s come from - it’s not something I coach and it’s ridiculous in that sense.
“We’ll move on – nothing will change the way we play.”